
We all love talking about the weather. And it’s easy for myths about sun protection to spread. Last year we tackled 12 common sun safety myths, but there are still plenty more alternative facts out there.
We’ve picked out 10 new myths that we hear a lot.
But one fact to remember is to not let sunburn catch you out, because too much UV from the sun (or sunbeds) causes most cases of skin cancer. This might feel like old news, but rates of melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer) are still increasing.
By dodging these myths, we can all do our best to protect ourselves when the sun is strong.
Myth 1: ‘The sun is strongest when it’s hottest’
The heat of the sun doesn’t come from its skin-damaging UV rays. The UV rays are always strongest when the sun is highest in the sky, which in the UK summer is between 11am and 3pm (it can be different abroad). But the temperature varies more and tends to be highest slightly later. So if you want to get out and enjoy the nice weather later in the day when it’s still warm, the risk of burning won’t be as high.
Myth 2: ‘You can only burn in the middle of summer’
The sun can be strong enough to burn in the UK from the start of April to the end of September, even if it doesn’t feel that warm, or it’s a cloudy day. The UV Index can tell you how strong the sun is where you are today, you can find it on weather forecasts and the met office website. If the UV index is 3 or above think about protecting your skin. And take extra care if you get sunburnt easily or have a lighter skin tone.
Myth 3: ‘Sun damage always looks red and peely’
Not necessarily. If your skin’s gone red or pink in the sun, that’s sunburn, and it’s dangerous due to the damage the UV rays cause to DNA inside cells. If your skin goes pink but then a tan develops that still counts as having burnt.
But you can’t always see the damage. For people with naturally darker skin it might just feel irritated, tender or itchy rather than your skin changing colour.
Myth 4: ‘The odd sunburn doesn’t make much difference’
Getting sunburnt doesn’t mean you will definitely develop skin cancer. But sunburn just once every 2 years can triple the risk of melanoma. So if you have had sunburn in the past, it’s a good idea to think about what more you can do to protect your skin next time.
Myth 5: ‘Higher SPF sunscreens are lots better than lower SPF ones’
No sunscreen is 100% effective. There’s some evidence that using sunscreen with SPF15+ reduces the risk of melanoma compared with using no sunscreen or a lower SPF. But going higher than SPF15 might not offer the protection boost you’d expect.
Researchers have found that as SPF increases, the additional UV that sunscreen can absorb tails off, offering less and less added protection. And research suggests that people using sunscreen with a higher SPF may stay out in the sun longer, increasing their risk of sun damage.
If it’s applied properly, and used in combination with covering up and seeking shade, SPF15 should be enough to protect you wherever you are in the world. And make sure you look for a star rating of 4 or 5 as well.
This is general guidance only. If your doctor has recommended you use a higher SPF sunscreen because of a specific medical condition, you should follow this advice.
Myth 6: ‘A ‘base tan’ will protect me on holiday’
Some people think a pre-holiday tan or sunbed tans will protect them from burning, but a tan offers very little protection against the sun. Some studies have found that tans only offer protection equivalent to using factor 3 sunscreen. And tans from sunbeds could be as low as SPF 1.
Myth 7: ‘Putting sunscreen on once is enough’
It’s not. Even if it says once-a-day on the label, all sunscreens should be re-applied regularly. Some products rub, wash or sweat off more easily than others. But it’s also really easy to miss bits of your body so don’t be shy with it, put plenty on. The best way to use sunscreen is to think of it as the last line of defence for the parts of your body you can’t cover up with clothes.
Myth 8: ‘Sunbeds are a safer way to tan’
This myth is a persistent one. But the evidence is clear, sunbeds cause skin cancer and there’s no such thing as a safe tan. A tan is a sign that your body is trying to repair the damage caused by UV rays. That’s why we want to see more people embracing their natural skin colour through our Own Your Tone campaign.
Myth 9: ‘Sunscreen lasts forever’
We’ve probably all turned to that old bottle of sunscreen at the back of the cupboard that’s been there for an unknown number of years. But most sunscreens expire. Look out for a small open jar icon on the bottle with the number of months the product can be used after opening. And like most cosmetics, sunscreens should be stored in a cool place and not in direct sunlight.
Fear not though. You don’t need to worry about the cost of replacing expensive sunscreens. When it comes to protection, price doesn’t matter it’s the SPF and star rating that does.
Myth 10: ‘You can’t get sun damage through glass’
Indoors you’re mostly protected from sunburn, but some UV rays can get through glass. So if you spend lots of time driving or sitting in a conservatory when the sun is strong, then long-term you might be at risk of damage from UVA rays. If you’re stuck by the window, protect your skin with clothes and sunscreen with 4 or more stars.
Nikki Smith is a health information manager at Cancer Research UK
Make sure you take a look at the 12 other sun safety myths we’ve covered before, including how to get a good balance for vitamin D, deceiving cloudy days and why you shouldn’t rely on SPF in make up.
There’s also more information on risk of burning and how best to protect your skin on our website.
Comments
Nothing in here about people who have dark skin. Black people don’t need to wear sunscreen – myth or fact? Black people don’t get sunburned – myth or fact? Black people can’t get skin cancer – myth or fact? These are all statements that I’ve heard and it’s difficult to find information about this from reliable UK websites. Please don’t assume that GPs know about skin health in relation to dark skin because they often don’t!
Nikki Smith August 4, 2017
Hi Ad,
Thanks for your comment.
Anyone can get sunburnt or develop skin cancer – but different people will have different levels of risk. Generally, people with naturally darker skin burn less easily and have a lower risk of skin cancer. You can’t always see sunburn – for people with darker skin, your skin may feel irritated, tender, or itchy, rather than look red or pink.
On the other hand, people with darker skin, for example those of African, Caribbean or South Asian family origin, are likely to need to spend longer in the sun to make enough vitamin D, which is important for bone health. The government also recommends people with dark skin think about taking a vitamin D supplement.
You’re the best person to know how your skin reacts in the sun. Get to know your skin and when it needs protecting. If you do get caught out, learn from past experience and take better care next time by seeking shade, covering up with clothing, and using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and 4 or 5 stars.
Best wishes,
Nikki, Cancer Research UK
Patricia Dhillon July 16, 2017
The information in Myth 5 was a shock! I read it several times to be sure I had understood it fully. Is the sun protection industry really based on a myth? Higher than SPF 15 offers little extra protection? Expensive products are not required? If all this is so why isn’t it widely publicised? I consider myself to be reasonably up to date in health matters and am pro-active in caring for my own body.
I have never seen this comment before and agree with Amanda Watson about the sources of this information
Further clarification please
Amanda Watson July 12, 2017
Good Afternoon. Despite extra clarification on Myth 5 no evidence was brought to support the statement that “Factors above SPF15 don’t offer as much extra protection as you may think” but a statement of “studies have shown higher factors can encourage people to spend longer in the sun, perhaps subconsciously, raising the risk of damage” has been attributed to the second part. Where are the studies for the first part of the statement? What is the discrepancy ratio? Please offer clarification or cite your sources. As UV Rays can travel through clothing suggesting that clothing and shade should be thought of first is poor advice. suncreen plus clothing and shade where possible would have been a better suggestion.Best regards Amanda
Nikki Smith July 21, 2017
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for your comment. There are some useful graphs at the end of this 2011 review showing that however you measure it, as SPF increases, sunscreens provide less and less extra protection. There is also a lack of good quality research showing that higher SPF sunscreens are significantly more protective than SPF15 sunscreens – but as we’ve mentioned, there is some research suggesting using higher SPFs could affect how people behave and lead to a greater risk of sun damage. However, there is evidence to suggest that using at least SPF15 is better than using sunscreens with SPFs lower than 15.
Along with organisations like NICE, WHO and the US Surgeon General, we recommend that people use shade and clothing to protect their skin, and sunscreen on the parts that are left exposed. Studies (like this one) have shown that shade and clothing are more effective than sunscreen at preventing sunburn.
Best wishes,
Nikki, Cancer Research UK
Bette Watts July 9, 2017
Thank you
Very helpful
Linda Kilpatrick July 8, 2017
I have had Malignant Melanoma and have always been told minimum factor 30 but preferably factor 50. I have the typical red hair and extremely sensitive pale skin so have to cover up as well as using high factor. People need to be aware that they can still burn when wearing certain clothes.
Joanne Young July 8, 2017
I’m worried that your ‘myth 5’ explanation will discourage people from using a higher SPF than 15. I have dark skin and work in my garden most days always applying sunscreen usually SPF 20 or higher. If I were to use 15 I know I would burn even when I’m quite tanned. Obviously I prefer not to burn. So am I not giving my skin any protection from using SPF 30?
Andrew Cherowbrier July 7, 2017
The video I saw via facebook confuses the facts and myths. Once it is running you cant tell whether the page that only says “myth” or” fact” relates to the video before or after. each one needs to also sya what was the fact and what was the myth.
The text makes it clear, but most will not go that far.
Barbara Vest July 6, 2017
I had a melanoma in situ removed 4 years ago and was recommended to apply factor 50 sun screen. Not sure my consultant would agree with your Myth 5 interpretation. I would never use a lower factor sunscreen. I will double check when I go see my consultant in September
Ann Garrity July 6, 2017
I found this very informative, except for myth 5 would like more proof that 15 is sufficient. I find I need to use factor 30 and also reapply it at regular intervals.
Julian Howarth July 6, 2017
So , if SPF 15 is adequate anywhere in the world , why is suncream manufactured up to factor 50 .
The logic assumption of the consumer , is that the higher the number , the greater the protection .
This is misleading and should be illegal .l have never heard , or read this anywhere in the media , by the medical professionals – why ? .
Jan Campbell July 5, 2017
I found your list of ‘myths’ extremely informative, even though after losing my husband to skin cancer I had thought (wrongly) that I knew all the facts about sunburn! I shall certainly heed this new information.
Victoria July 4, 2017
These myths definitely need to be stamped out and I hope everyone shares this to lots of people because, especially amongst ladies I know, a lot of people are just desperate to tan as soon as the sun comes out.
sue fox July 3, 2017
valuable information
Donna Lloyd July 3, 2017
This is so helpful. Thank you.
Raymond Wicks July 3, 2017
I have rosacea and have been advised to use factor 50. Are they right or should I revert to factor 15.
Katie Edmunds August 14, 2017
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for your question.
If a health professional has recommended you use a certain SPF – your best bet is to talk to them about what’s right for you. For the general public though, sunscreen should be thought of as the last line of defence when it comes to sun protection. When the sun is strong, Cancer Research UK recommends people use a combination of shade, clothing (for the face specifically, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses), and sunscreen on the parts you can’t cover. Sunscreen with SPF 15 and 4 or more stars should be enough to protect you wherever you are in the world, and higher SPFs don’t add a lot of extra protection. But remember sunscreen isn’t bulletproof, so don’t rely on it alone. Read more about ways to protect yourself in the sun here.
Best wishes,
Katie, Cancer Research UK
Sue W July 2, 2017
Thankyou for the info-I have grandchildren + need to protect them as well as myself.
Louise Swatton July 2, 2017
Thank you so much for this article. I was always under the preconception that the higher the factor the better. I will definitely be advising everyone of your article prior to the school summer holidays in a few weeks. Thank you.
Jane July 2, 2017
Thank you a very helpful article. I usually buy SPF 30, and 50 for grandson (at a higher price) now I know I can buy SPF 15 and still be safe and save money.
Anne Pearce July 2, 2017
An excellent article. I never realised that SPF15 was sufficient but always looked for the 4*
Sylvia Dodson July 1, 2017
Thankyou, it’s good to be reminded
Tony Black July 1, 2017
A very helpful guide.
Alan Smith July 1, 2017
I used to have an all year tan from welding, which would occour even through clothing, I guess that is just as dangerous as the sun
anne thomas July 1, 2017
Yes i agree with all your advice throuugh past experience with our family.
Tony Westbrook July 1, 2017
Living here in Greece, the April to November rule is simple. STAY in THE SHADE!! Yet thousands of tourists from north Europe will spend day after day in the sun. Please don’t!!
Elizabeth Rix July 1, 2017
I thought I knew more thanI did about sunburn!! Very informative article – thank you.
david hughes July 1, 2017
any advice on how the Sun can do harm, is First class advice. Many thanks
Chrissie July 1, 2017
Really useful information especially about only needing factor 15. Just returned from Majorca and used spf 50 all the time which doesn’t seem to rub in very well.
Peter Yeo July 1, 2017
Useful information that should be widely distributed, via schools and GP surgeries for example.
Jeanette Ecrement July 1, 2017
Very informative and I hope everyone takes heed.
Pamela grinter July 1, 2017
Very informative
Clare Carver July 1, 2017
I’m lucky enough to be an Australian citizen by descent so in spite of having been brought up in England I’ve had the mantra of “Slip, Slap & Slop” drilled into me since birth. This is a simple guideline that anybody can follow: slip on a long-sleeved top, trousers, skirt or dress; slap on a sunhat and or sunglasses and slop on the SPF. This doesn’t have to be hard at all- I always wear a moisturiser with at least SPF 15 through the winter months and with my Morticia-like complexion choose SPF 30 or even 50 throughout the summer. There are so many fabulous fake tan products on the market any colour I have comes out of a bottle or off a bronzing powder! I’m nearly thirty and am almost always IDed because I apparently look like I’m in my early twenties. My top beauty secret? SPF-loaded daily moisturiser and foundations!
Clare Carver July 1, 2017
I’m lucky enough to be an Australian citizen by descent so in spite of having been brought up in England I’ve had the mantra of “Slip, Slap & Slop” drilled into me since birth. This is a simple guideline that anybody can follow: slip on a long-sleeved top, trousers, skirt or dress; slap on a sunhat and or sunglasses and slop on the SPF. This doesn’t have to be hard at all- I always wear a moisturiser with at least SPF 15 through the winter months and with my Mortician-like complexion choose SPF 30 or even 50 throughout the summer. There are so many fabulous fake tan products on the market any colour I have comes out of a bottle or off a bronzing powder! I’m nearly thirty and am almost always IDed because I apparently look like I’m in my early twenties. My top beauty secret? SPF-loaded daily moistures and foundations!
Sandra June 30, 2017
Some very good points but I always use a 50 anything less and I can feel my skin burning in just a few minutes so I do feel a 15 is very low and my advice would be at least a 30
Jane June 30, 2017
Please clarify this – I often read nowadays that you should expose your skin to the sun each day in the summer for ten to twenty minutes to get enough vitamin D which will enable calcium to be absorbed. It is stored in the body for the winter months. I have osteopenia but am also very fair and burn very easily. This summer I have a light tan due to exposure without sun cream for a few minutes every so often. Does this mean I have skin damage please?
Jill burke June 30, 2017
I found this a real eye opener as I rarely sit in the sun due to the fact I burn so easily even with sun lotions. Was not aware of the sun through glass, many thanks for the advise, will look into this further.
Cheryl smith June 30, 2017
This is great advice and very easy to understand.
L Fairweather June 30, 2017
I work with uoung children and would like advice on suncare for afro carribean skin.
S. Jones June 30, 2017
I am a little concerned that you think factor 15 is sufficient. My hospital has advised factor 30 minimum and ideally Factor 50.
I do appreciate the other tips however, particularly the advice on how to check for expiry and the ness easily of reapplying even’once a day’ sunscreen.
Lorraine O'Callaghan June 30, 2017
Great content making an interesting read. I was not aware about the possible risk of sun damage through glass!
VjW June 30, 2017
Great info, knew some, had forgotten some and never knew what that jar symbol meant. Presented really well for printing off and sticking in prominent places too.
JANE FREELAND June 30, 2017
Thank you – extremely useful advice which I shall pass on to all my nearest and dearest. I found the information about sun through glass very interesting – had always wondered about it
Vitamin D June 30, 2017
I have always avoided the sun as I burn very easily. However, this has resulted in an extremely low vitamin d level to the extent I’ve been told to make sure I get some sun. How do you balance the risks associated with low vitamin d levels and the risk of skin cancer?
Sun Lover June 30, 2017
Thank you, I was very interested in what you had to say , you have answered many of things I was wondering about. Thanks again
David Lloyd June 30, 2017
Excellent advice. As for UV rays getting through glass – yes, I believe they do. In the 1970s and 1980s I drove coaches with large windscreens – occasionally for long distances directly facing the sun. I did eventually develop a small patch of skin cancer on the forehead which thankfully was successfully treated.
Pauline Crowe June 30, 2017
The information about sitting in the sun behind glass was news to me, That was the only fact that I didn’t know As I am being treated for a malignant melanoma myself I am glad to have that information.
Rob H June 30, 2017
Thank you. This is extremely useful. I knew some of the risks and mitigating factors but not all.
Elizabeth mccallum June 30, 2017
Invaluable advice, normally for me your advice would be enough but I’m just about to start a anti TNF drug Consentyx and one of the side effects is skin cancer is there any further ways to protect myself ? Kind regards Elizabeth
Nikki Smith July 7, 2017
Hi Elizabeth, thank you for your comment.
The best ways to protect your skin when the sun is strong are to spend some time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, use clothing to cover up, and sunscreen for the bits that aren’t covered. You can find out more on our sun webpages and our previous sun myths blog post. If you’re worried about how your medication or medical treatment affects your skin cancer risk, it’s best to discuss this with your doctor, who will be able to advise you on any specific precautions to take.
Thanks,
Nikki, Cancer Research UK
Barbara.stafford@yahoo.o.uk June 30, 2017
Excellent advice and very clearly presented!
RedcapDogman June 30, 2017
Sun worshippers beware – I served in the Middle East and now I have skin cancer. I have had one tumour removed from the head but it is an ongoing fight.
Beware the sun, it sneaks up on you
Charles Stocks June 30, 2017
I can not sit in the sun as of one of my meds they make me burn very easily.
B Davis June 30, 2017
Do you have any advice on balancing sun protection with getting enough vitamin D?
Nikki Smith July 7, 2017
Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D, but the amount of time you need to spend in the sun to get enough vitamin D varies from person to person. Enjoying the sun safely, whilst taking care not to burn, should help most people get the right balance. But if you know you have low vitamin D levels, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor about the best way for you to get the vitamin D that you need. More broadly, the government recommends certain groups of people take a daily 10mcg vitamin D supplement all year round, and recommends everyone considers taking one during the winter months, when the UK sun isn’t strong enough to help us make vitamin D. You can read more about their guidance on vitamin D here.
Thanks,
Nikki, Cancer Research UK
Hollyann Fuller June 30, 2017
Great article, I am off on holiday to mexico on sunday so will be looking for factor 15 and above and and 4 stars for UVA and staying in the shade when possible. Thank you CRUK
Amanda keay June 30, 2017
It was very helpful
Krin May 27, 2017
Sunscreens cause cancer more so then the sun. Natural sunscreen is better.
Claire Friars May 26, 2017
Please please please can you mount a heavily publicised Sun Safety at School campaign. Our school yet again has said that once a day suncreams are good and should be applied once before school and that is enough. If we consider our children to be at special risk we can fill in a medication form and the children can go to the school office at lunchtime and reapply it themselves. Asking a 4 year old to reach the back of their neck or legs is totally unrealistic and asking an older child to remember to leave their friends and be the special weird one who runs off to apply suncream is also unrealistic and stops them being the normal healthy one. They are at school 5 days out of 7 and for the most at risk hours. Surely with the risks of UV damage in early years being key our schools (which I admit are chronically understaffed and under funded) should be leading the way in sun protection and normalising it. What about a sun safety award for schools – our school love an award!
Nikki Smith May 18, 2017
Hi Dawn
Thanks for your comment.
If you’re applying enough sunscreen, reapplying it regularly, and making sure you don’t miss bits, SPF15 does a good job of protecting your skin from sunburn. Unfortunately, studies show that most people don’t put enough on – so it’s application that matters more than SPF. Higher SPFs don’t add as much extra protection as people might think and could subconsciously encourage people to spend longer in the sun.
No amount of sunscreen, whatever the SPF, can protect your skin for extended periods in strong sun – even if you don’t see the damage. It should be combined with shade and clothing for protection when the sun is strong. You can read more about our sun protection advice on our website http://www.cruk.org/sun.
Nikki, Cancer Research UK
Dawn Punter May 18, 2017
I live in Southern Spain & have worn Spf30 all winter & SPF 50 in summer. Are you saying it provides little more protection than SPF15? Where can I get more info?
DocMills May 12, 2017
Myth 6: ‘A ‘base tan’ will protect me on holiday’
This really depends on where you go on holiday. If the holiday is in Spain then it is true that a base tan isn’t going to protect you much.
However, if you take a UK holiday (or are children during school holidays) then a base tan will help all but the palest of skin types.
A base tan (built up in early spring while the sun is weaker) will prevent sunburn for moderate exposure in the summer months.
A base tan will also protect you from UVA light through glass (see Myth 10).
Chris Poole July 26, 2017
Debunking the myths is all very well given that instances of melanoma are on the rise, but so is rickets in children due to vitamin D deficiency. Exposure to the sun in the spring, summer and autumn is essential for healthy bones to develop because calcium cannot be converted into bone without vitamin D, so lets not over do the scare stories. As for myth 5, our daughter-in-law has very pale sensitive skin and starts to burn after relatively short exposure with factor 50 plastered on. At 15 she her skin goes red as soon as she is exposed to the sun, as was evidenced on our recent holiday.