Protection

The onset of summer sends people rushing to the beach with their sun cream, however in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly due to the high levels of UV, it is just as important to protect your self on overcast cloudy days. The sun's UV rays can damage the skin cells, leading to sun burn and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Experts are urging the public to contiue to guard against the sun's damaging UV rays.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has a higher proportion of fair skinned people, more people working outdoors, more sunshine and a longer coastline than most of the UK's other regions. The South West has the highest rates of skin cancer and reports show that has been an increase in the number of malignant melanomas diagnosed.

Malignant melanoma is trhe most serious type of skin cancer and the numbers have been rising faster then any other common cancer with almost a third of all cases occuring in the under 50's.

Parents

Parent of young children should remember not just to protect their children's skin, but to protect their own as well. Children who are exposed to too much sun unprotected now are storing up potential problems for the future.

Teenagers

Teenagers should also remember the damage sunbeds can do over time!

To stay safe remember to:

• cover up
• apply a SPF 15+ UVA/UVB 5 star suncream every 2 hours (SPF 30+ for fair skinned and children)
• wear a hat and sunglasses
• seek shade during peak times - 11-3
• drink lots of water and stay hydrated
• don't burn