The NHS has issued a health message for July, urging people to protect themselves from the sun between 11am and 3pm. In a post on X, the health service noted that sunscreen should be worn even when the sun is not visible, as UV rays can still cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer.
The advice comes as the Met Office forecasts highs of 27°C in Cardiff this week, with much of July seeing soaring temperatures. The NHS warns that sunburn raises the risk of skin cancer, and it is not something that only happens on holiday—people can get burned in the UK too.
Key Sun Protection Steps
The NHS stresses that there is no safe or healthy way to tan. A tan is not protection; it is a sign that UV rays have damaged the skin. The health service recommends spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest, which in the UK is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.
Additional advice includes: never burn, cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses, take extra care with children, keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight, use at least factor 30 sunscreen, reapply frequently, and check the UV index—if it is 3 or above, take steps to protect skin.
Choosing and Applying Sunscreen
When buying sunscreen, the label should have an SPF of at least 30 and at least 4-star UVA protection. Sunscreen should not be past its expiry date. Adults should apply about six to eight teaspoons to cover the whole body. Sunscreen should be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and just before going out. It should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck, ears, and scalp if hair is thin. Reapply every two hours, and after swimming, towel drying, or sweating.
Extra Care for Some People
Extra care should be taken by those with pale, white, or light brown skin; freckles or red or fair hair; light-coloured eyes; a tendency to burn rather than tan; many moles; skin problems relating to a medical condition; only occasional intense sun exposure; those in hot countries; or those with a family history of skin cancer. The NHS warns that people who spend a lot of time in the sun without proper precautions are at increased risk of skin cancer. Naturally brown or black skin provides some protection against UV rays, but people of all skin tones can get skin cancer.
