Myth #9: People with darker skin don’t get sunburnt
Anyone can get sunburnt – including people with darker skin tones such as black or brown skin. But your risk of getting sunburnt and how sunburn looks and feels will depend on your skin type. For people with lighter skin tones, sunburned skin is usually red, sore, and swollen. In people with darker skin tones, sunburned skin might not change colour but will often feel irritated, itchy, tender and sore.
Generally, in the UK, people with lighter skin tones are at higher risk of sunburn. But just because people with darker skin tones might have a lower risk, that doesn’t mean there’s no risk at all. Anyone can get skin cancer, so make sure to get any unusual changes to your skin checked out by your doctor. You can read about signs and symptoms of skin cancer on our webpage.
Myth #10: More expensive sunscreens provide better protection
This isn’t the case. The most important thing is actually the SPF and star rating, rather than price or brand. Make sure you pick a product with at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars. It’s also really important to find a product that works well for you – pick something that you find easy to apply, that you like the feel and smell of. This is because you need to wear lots of sunscreen to get the SPF on the bottle and you also need to reapply regularly throughout the day. And if you like the way it feels, you’re more likely to do that!
Choose a lotion, pump spray or roll-on product, not an aerosol. Aerosol sunscreens can be patchy and do not provide a thick-enough layer for protection.
Myth #11: Sunscreen lasts forever
Many of us will find an old bottle of sunscreen at the back of the cupboard and think “I have no idea when I opened that”. But most sunscreens expire. Look for a symbol with an open lid, the letter M and a number. This shows how many months the sunscreen will last once open. If it’s out of date, it’s best to buy a new one.
Like most cosmetics, sunscreens should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Myth #12: I’ve been sunburnt before, so there’s no point in protecting myself now – the damage is already done
First of all, getting sunburnt doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop skin cancer. Your body can repair some of the damage, but the more times you get sunburnt, the higher your risk of developing skin cancer.
It’s never too late to start protecting your skin. By taking steps to enjoy the sun safely, you can stop the damage building even further and keep your risk as low as possible. Take the next time you head out into the sun as an opportunity to protect your skin by seeking shade, covering up and using sunscreen regularly and generously.
