Why is sunscreen important?
Exposure to sunlight, and in particular ultraviolet light, increases the risk of developing skin cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers).
Malignant melanoma of the skin is an increasingly common type of cancer in the UK, and indeed other parts of the world.
Measures to reduce sun exposure together with accurate advice and guidance on the types of sunscreens available and their proper use, as part of a sun-safe regime, are essential to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
What this guidance will tell you
- The effects of different types of ultraviolet light on the skin
- The ways in which sunscreens are labelled to indicate their level of protection to sunlight
- Guidance on how to use sunscreens effectively.
Sunscreens must always be used in conjunction with other precautions to minimise exposure to sunlight which are detailed.