Sunbathers do not use nearly enough sunscreen, say scientists

SUNBATHERS are risking skin cancer by failing to put on enough sunscreen, scientists have warned, and have recommended the “teaspoon method” to ensure adequate protection.

A study by King’s College London has found that people are getting less than half the sun protection they think from their lotion because they apply such a thin layer.

Manufacturers calculate SPF protection levels based on 2mg of cream per sq cm of skin, but most people use just 0.8mg for the same area – 40per cent of what they should be using.

Experts say it is important to apply at least half a teaspoon (3ml) to each arm, the face and neck and then a full teaspoon (6ml) to each leg, the front and back of the body.

Professor Antony Young, author of the report, warned that an average sized woman wearing a bikini in a hot climate should be applying sunscreen three times a day, meaning that she should be getting through one 100ml bottle per day.

“Most people who use an SPF 20 sunscreen will actually be getting something like SPF 4 because they aren’t applying enough,” said Prof Young. “They overestimate the protection they are getting and then stay out in the sun too long and get burned.

“For the whole body you actually need a lot of sun cream, far more than people realise.

“Given that most people don’t use sunscreens as tested by manufacturers, it’s better for people to use a much higher SPF than they think is necessary.”

For the study, researchers divided 16 volunteers into two groups of eight.

The first group were exposed to ultraviolet radiation to simulate sunlight over one day. The second group received exposure over five days to mimic conditions in holiday destinations such as Tenerife, Florida or Brazil.

Skin biopsies showed that proper sun cream use showed 650 per cent less damage compared to using no sun protection, even when the UV rays were very weak.

Researchers also found that sunburn was reduced by 40 per cent when cream was applied correctly.

Prof Young added: “There is no dispute that sunscreen provides important protection against the cancer-causing impact of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

“However, what this research shows is that the way sunscreen is applied plays an important role in determining how effective it is.”