by Earlier this week, it was revealed that Sarah Ferguson had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer. The cancer was diagnosed after several moles were removed and analyzed at the recommendation of her dermatologist. She is currently undergoing further investigations to see if the cancer has been caught early.
Keeping an eye on your moles — size, shape, color and texture and any new moles — can be crucial in an early diagnosis of malignant melanoma — if you’re worried about any, see your GP , or book a mole check with their dermatologist.
That aside, though, you might want to look at what you’re doing on a daily basis to protect your skin from cancer. Here’s what some of the UK’s top dermatologists had to say…
Wear SPF every single day
“The official recommendations from NHS England are that you only need to apply sun protection between April and October when the UV index – which you can check on your phone – is more than three,” says Dr Cristina Psomadakis, NHS consultant dermatologist based in London.
However, like every other expert we spoke to, she recommends getting in the habit of applying sunscreen year-round because UV rays are present year-round and if you’re outdoors, or even in near a window, you are getting a. UV dose.
“In winter, you’re applying sunscreen not to prevent burning but to prevent cumulative UVA exposure which leads to skin aging and the development of some skin cancers,” explains consultant dermatologist Catriona Maybury. Maybury is also the medical director of skin care brand Dermatica.
The best SPF is the one you will use
You want a product that protects against both UVA and UVB because, as consultant dermatologist Dr Angela Tewari explains “it’s often the initial dose of sunburn from UVB, followed by a proliferative and regular dose of UVA that can happen through clothing that causes certain skin cancers. like melanoma.”
She also recommends using SPF50, which may sound high but as she says “you often only get a quarter of the strength” because most of us don’t apply enough. (You want two finger lengths for the head and neck, then the same again for each arm, front of each leg etc.)
Don’t worry if your sunscreen is “chemical”, also known as organic; or “physical” – also known as inorganic or mineral, this sunscreen is more likely to leave a chalky cast, especially on darker skin. Instead, as skin cancer researcher, Dr. Jason Thomson, and medical head of skin care company, Skin + Me advises, “find a sunscreen that you enjoy using and that you like on your skin.”
SPF50 sunscreen, £5.25; L’Oréal Revitalift Clinical SPF50+ Invisible Fluid, £9.99, Boots; Bioderma Photoderm Cream SPF50+, £12, Primary class
Don’t forget to reapply
“Ideally, apply sunscreen generously to all exposed areas 20 minutes before going into the sun and about 15 to 30 minutes after,” says Dr. Thompson. “This helps cover any patches you’ve missed and compensates for the fact that most of us don’t apply enough. If you’re in the sun, reapply every few hours and after swimming, exercising, sweating and toweling off.”
But, says Dr Magnus Lynch, consultant dermatologist and surgeon at Guy’s Hospital, London, “there’s no need to reapply when you’re indoors – unless you’re near a window.”
During the winter, Dr Tewari is a fan of putting up invisible sunscreen sprays that can be applied over makeup. “These can add some moisture to the skin, make you feel hydrated and also add some sun protection.”
Try these options below:
Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Sunscreen Free Face Perfume, £8.99; Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Face Sun Cream Mist SPF50, £11.99, Super drugs; UV Ultra-Sun Face & Mist Scalp SPF50, £15.40, Sephora
Be aware of other steps in your routine
“Topical retinoids, retinol or any product that affects the skin’s barrier – such as acids found in skins, or laser treatments – can temporarily increase your chance of burning, so be extra careful after a procedure to reapply sunscreen frequently,” says Dr. Maybury .
Dr Lynch says that although it would be wise to avoid these treatments 48 hours before exposure to sunlight, there is no evidence that they increase the risk of melanoma.”
What is a ‘safe’ amount of time in the sun?
“The risks of skin cancer from sunlight are cumulative so there is no ‘safe’ level of sun exposure,” says Dr Lynch.
However, Dr Psomadakis admits that there are benefits to being out in the sun and therefore recommends using protective hats and protective clothing alongside sun protection.
Above all, avoid anything that increases your risk of skin cancer. As for using the argument that you need to get a dose of sunshine to raise your vitamin D levels, she says that most of us here in the UK can’t get enough vitamin D from the sun alone and that’s why supplementation is recommended.
You are the best D4000 Vitamin D Daily Oral Spray, £9.95
Red – or fair – be extra careful
“Dark skin types contain something called Eumelanin which acts as a protection around the DNA of cells in your skin,” says Dr Tewari. “This means that darker skin types can spend a little longer outdoors, but they are still prone to skin cancer and still need to wear broad spectrum SPF50.”
Conversely, Dr Tewari explains that redheads tend to have skin that contains something called Pheomelanin which can perpetuate further skin damage.
“They should use sun protection with antioxidants, especially leucotomos polapodium which helps a lot to reduce the threshold of sunburn.”
“Red hair is also associated with a variation of the MC1R gene which affects the type of melanin pigment they produce, and is associated with increased melanoma,” says Dr Sina Ghadiri, NHS dermatology registrar based in Leeds. So, while everyone should enjoy the sun, if you’re fair-skinned or have red hair, you need to take extra precautions.
