It is important to protect your skin from the sun every day, not just when you are on holiday. The sun can damage your skin even on cloudy days in the UK.
Some sunlight is good for you. It helps your body make Vitamin D and can improve your mood. However, too much sun exposure over time can damage your skin and affect your health.
One common effect is sunburn, caused mainly by UVB rays. Sunburn can make your skin red, painful, and sometimes blister. Lack of sun protection can also lead to hyperpigmentation, which causes dark patches of skin, usually on the face. These patches are more common in women and can be difficult to treat, so prevention is important.
Too much exposure to UV rays can also damage the DNA inside your skin cells. Over time, this damage can increase the risk of skin conditions such as actinic keratosis and skin cancer.
The sun produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and UV radiation is also found in sunbeds. Two types of UV rays can damage the skin:
- UVB rays – mainly cause sunburn.
- UVA rays – penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to skin ageing and skin cancer.
Everyone should protect their skin from the sun, but some people are at greater risk. Take extra care if you:
- Have fair, light, or light brown skin.
- Freckle or burn easily.
- Have lots of moles.
- Have a family history of skin cancer.
Using sunscreen, seeking shade, and covering your skin can help reduce the risk of sun damage and keep your skin healthy.
- Avoid being in the sun during peak times 11am – 3pm. Try to stay in the shade during these hours
- Wear protective clothing, such as loose covering tops and trousers, sun hat and sun glasses
- Keep hydrated
- Cover any moles you have
- Wear sunscreen with a SPF 30 or more whilst it’s within its expiry date. Apply this at least 30 minutes before going out and regularly thereafter, approximately every 2 hours and especially after coming into contact with water
- Look for sunscreen containing UVA and UVB protection. A UVA star rating is usually indicated on the product label. UK sunscreens star ratings are up to 5- the higher the rating the better. As for UVB protection, an SPF of 50+ offers the strongest form of UVB protection.
Many people can struggle to deal with the appearance of their skin condition. It can affect their confidence, social and personal relationships and cause them to feel embarrassed or anxious, especially in social and public interactions.
As some skin conditions last a long period of time or a lifetime, enduring the mental struggle can be very draining and exhausting. It can lead to feelings of social isolation, victimisation and depression. Conditions such as Eczema can make it difficult to sleep comfortably. A lack of quality rest can exacerbate mental health and mood.
In some cases, emotional distress can impact the skin condition, particularly stress and anxiety, making it worse.
It is important to seek appropriate help if you/someone you know is struggling with their mental health. Unless it is urgent help you require in which case you should seek emergency help, you can speak to your GP or dermatologist who can refer you to the right place, including psychological support.
You can also consider the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme (IAPT) which aims to provide treatments for those struggling with anxiety or depression. Speak to your GP for more information on local services and referring you to the right place.
You can also visit the Wolverhampton Healthy Minds website for more information about mental health. Speak to your GP who can refer you to this service for psychological therapy.
Mind, the mental health charity is a well- known source of support for mental health. Visit their website for information around the different types of mental health issues and guides to support services.
Head 4 Health (March 2019) was developed by the Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team with funding from the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Community Fund, Wolverhampton CCG and the council. It is a three year project which runs six week programmes to improve the mental and physical health of local men. Find out more.
Fit for a Fiver is an exercise programme where participants pay £5 for 3 months’ worth of exercise if they meet the eligibility criteria. If accepted onto the programme, participants can be entitled to 12 community gym sessions or 3 months access to public swimming pools. Find out more about the criteria or how to self-refer.
Wolverhampton Information Network is a localised search directory where you can find information about local services. Visit the Wolverhampton Information Network.