British medics believe that healthy skin is skin without a tan
Unsurprisingly, a quarter of respondents even encouraged their children to tan. Among the survey participants were those who allowed their children to tan in a solarium.
A total of 1,000 parents with children aged 11 and older took part in the survey. One in ten parents reported asking their child to take off their T-shirt in the sun so that they wouldn't have white stripes from clothing on their skin. 21% of parents believe that sunscreen should be applied to a child's skin only after they have already gotten sunburned and turned red.
What is a tan?
A tan is not beneficial and does not reduce the harmful effects of sunlight. On the contrary, a tan is evidence that the skin is damaged and trying to protect itself from destructive effects.
After the skin is exposed to harmful ultraviolet radiation, cells called melanocytes produce a dark pigment – melanin – in an attempt to absorb the sun's rays. This is how the skin becomes darker.
Is it safe to be in the sun?
Frequent sun exposure can lead to skin cancer later in life. You cannot feel ultraviolet radiation, so it is very easy to get sunburned, even in cool weather.
Infants and older children have much more sensitive skin than adults. Children under six months should not be exposed to direct sunlight at all.
From March to October, British children are advised to:
• wear appropriate clothing that covers from the sun;
• spend time in the shade – especially from 11:00 to 15:00;
• use sunscreen with at least SPF 15.
“Protecting children from skin cancer cannot be left to chance,” believes meteorologist Claire Nasir. “UV levels are usually highest between May and September. Clouds do not always filter UV rays, and unlike solar heat, you cannot tell when they are affecting you.” She added that parents should constantly check the UV level using meteorological services.
The sunshine vitamin
Despite the fact that sun exposure has a positive effect on vitamin D levels, increasing them, one should not overdo it, believes Dr. Nigel Acheson from the National Health Service of England. “We usually recommend no more than 10-15 minutes several times a week in the sun without protection,” says the doctor. “People who spend more than 15 minutes in the sun on any given day should apply sunscreen with a protection factor of 15 or higher.”
“There is no such thing as a safe tan,” reminds Nicola Smith from Cancer Research UK, a company involved in cancer research and helping cancer patients. “A tan is your skin's reaction to excessive sun exposure. And sunburn is a clear sign that your skin is damaged,” she notes.
“Most adults and children need very little time to get enough vitamin D – less than it takes to get sunburned,” Smith believes.
As reported by BBC, the National Health Service of England has launched a campaign #CoverUpMate on Twitter, during which people are informed about skin cancer.