BE HAPPY SLAPPY
Pasty Brits sun cream blitz
WE’RE baking mad! Pasty Brits hit beaches as medics issued alerts on the hottest day of 2021.
BRITS face a huge risk of sunburn this week after a heatwave following months of lockdown, experts warn.
Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of GPS are urging pasty sunseekers to slap on protection as 26C highs are predicted following months of cold and rain.
Yesterday, on the UK’S hottest day this year – when the mercury hit 25.1C in Kinlochewe, Scotland – Dr Steve Mowle said we should use sunscreen plus head coverings and lightweight cover-ups. The south London GP told the Daily Star: “We want everyone to enjoy the benefits of the sun.
“However, it is important that we do this sensibly and safely, especially after more than a year of lockdown restrictions. We advise a high protection sunscreen of at least 15 – and preferably 30 to start off – and at least 50 for children.”
Dr Shaaira Nasir, consultant dermatologist at sk:n clinics, reminded people not to forget to apply sunscreen to easily missed areas such as ears and the backs of hands and necks.
She warned: “The long-term effects of excessive sun exposure include an increase in chances of developing skin cancer, premature ageing
and pigmentary problems.” Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, said the sun can be strong enough to damage skin from the start of April to the end of September.
She said: “There are easy ways to stay safe in the sun. For example, using a beach umbrella for shade and taking regular breaks inside when the sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm.
“When you’re heading out, pop on a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses and pack some sunscreen.”
Thousands of people online are already complaining about the hot weather, just days after it arrived. One posted: “Social media this morning is basically ‘rate my sunburn.’”
Another said: “My god, sunburn is such a silent killer in terms of how completely unnoticeable it is whilst it’s happening vs how agonising it is after it has happened OW OW OW.”
Others put themselves at risk by gathering too close to the cliff edge at Birling Gap, Sussex.
IF you’re of a fair-skinned disposition, it might be best to look away now.
Apparently being stuck indoors for so long is about to come back and bite us on the bottom.
Experts say we’ve been so starved of sunlight we’re now all sitting ducks for a bad case of sunburn.
But obviously, having had such a rotten year and a bit, everyone is still going to grasp the opportunity to catch a few rays with both hands – pasty or not.
So what it all boils down to really is that word the clowns in government keep reminding us of: prudence.
That means slapping on the suncream, wearing a hat or hankie on your noggin, and remembering that not everyone can look like a bronzed god or goddess all the time.
And remember, there’s actually nothing wrong with being left out in the shade from time to time…