Sun and sunbeds
Everyone can take steps to reduce their risk of skin cancer, no matter what skin tone you have.
How can I reduce my risk of skin cancer?
- Avoid any unnecessary UV exposure, like sunbathing, even if you’re protecting your skin.
- Do not use sunbeds.
- Avoid getting burned by the sun.
How can I enjoy the sun sensibly?
Enjoy the sun sensibly and follow the SunSmart code, even on cool or cloudy days. If the UV index for the day is 3 or more, be SunSmart! You can find the daily UV index online, on most weather apps, or in the newspaper.
The 5 Ss of being SunSmart
- Slip on clothing that covers your skin, like long sleeves, trousers or skirts, or collared T‑shirts.
- Slop on sunscreen: SPF 30+ for adults, SPF 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and water resistance. Reapply regularly.
- Slap on a wide‑brimmed hat
- Seek shade, especially between 11am and 3pm, and keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight.
- Slide on wraparound sunglasses with strong UV protection.
The truth about sunbeds
- Sunbeds do not give you a safe suntan.
- Sunbeds do not protect you from sunburn.
- Sunbeds do not give you vitamin D.
- Sunbeds do not make you look younger.
- Sunbeds cause skin cancer.
- Sunbeds cause early wrinkles.
- Sunbeds cause early age spots.
Melanoma is the most serious kind of skin cancer. It can spread quickly to other parts of the body.
- If you use a sunbed even one time, your risk of melanoma goes up by almost 30%.
- Your risk of being diagnosed with melanoma before you are 50 years old goes up by 75%.
- If are under 35 when you use a sunbed, your risk of melanoma goes up by almost 75%.
Non-melanoma is the most common kind of skin cancer in Ireland.
- If you use a sunbed even one time, your risk of non-melanoma goes up by as much as 40%.
- Your risk of being diagnosed with non-melanoma before you are 50 years old almost doubles.
