Embarrassing Illnesses

To prevent getting sunburnt, avoid strong sunlight whenever possible, especially if you are fair-skinned, and cover up with loose clothing and a hat. Thickly apply sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 before going out in the sun.

Try to avoid going out when the sun is at its strongest, between 11am and 3pm, and use weather reports to get an idea of the sun index or UV index, which can tell you how strong the sunlight will be.

Choose a lotion that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, for maximum protection. When buying sunglasses, look for a style with UV filters.

Applying sunscreen

Sunscreen should be applied half an hour before going into the sun, so it has time to sink into the skin.

Make sure you use a generous amount of sunscreen. Research shows many people do not use enough cream to give proper protection. Pay attention to skin near the edges of clothing, such as straps and necklines, which are easily missed.

Reapply sunscreen regularly. Remember that it can rub off on towels or sand, or from going in the water. Even water-resistant sunscreen should be reapplied, because you can rub it off when you towel-dry yourself after swimming.

It's a good idea to use a stick application with higher SPF for exposed areas such as your nose, ears and lips, which tend to get burnt.

Similar standards for SPF ratings have recently been established in Europe, the US and Australia. Be safe when buying sunscreen abroad and always ask the pharmacist for advice on the effectiveness of a particular product.