A leading Shropshire skin clinic has issued a warning to the many Shropshire sun-seekers booking last minute holidays abroad to escape the UK weather.
The warning comes in the wake of a survey by Cancer Research UK that found eighty per cent of 16 to 24 year olds in the UK are aware of the dangers of over-exposure to the sun, yet only one in ten of those choose to spend time in the shade.
Wear sunscreen
The study also indicated a decline in the number of people using sun screen, something that Dr Simon Reid of The Skin Clinic based at The Dental Spa in Shrewsbury, believes can be partly attributed to the fact that when the sun does come out people assume it won’t stay out for long and rush out to be in it without creaming up.
“Escape holidays for people who are not used to the sun can take their toll, even on younger travellers,” says Dr Reid. “Skin can get burned by the sun in just half an hour – even in the UK at this time of year. So even if there is only a slight chance of sun, protection should be applied to the skin before going out in it.
Dangers
“One of the biggest dangers of sun damage is that it goes far deeper than what we can see on the surface of the skin, so early identification of damage beneath the surface is an important measure we can take in the fight against premature ageing of the skin and even potential skin cancer.
“At this time of year we have a lot of patients who come to The Skin Clinic for Visia skin analysis to identify whether they have any sun damage. We offer the analysis free with every skin consultation and patients who are concerned by a changing or growing mole can also make an appointment to get that checked out by myself.
“As well as causing skin cancer, exposure to the sun is responsible for uneven pigmentation, broken blood vessels and unsightly age spots. The good news is that with early diagnosis these problems can usually be treated.”
If you want to learn about this, or any other areas relating to your skin, please call The Skin Clinic on 01743 493074.]]>
