• June 2025 Newsletter: Sun Safety Tips for a Lifetime of Healthier Summers

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Sun Safety: Tips for a Healthier
Lifetime of Summers

Summertime is almost here! With sunny skies ahead, many of us are looking forward to spending extra time outdoors.

Some sun exposure brings important health benefits. Sunlight is an essential source of vitamin D, which is associated with many positive health benefits, such as stronger bones, a stronger immune system, better cardiovascular health, improved moods, and better sleep. Too much time in the sun, however, can pose serious health risks. Lazy, sunny days may seem like the perfect time to be carefree, but it’s also important to take extra precautions. More time outdoors potentially means more time exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is the leading cause of skin cancer.

No matter the time of year, it’s important to consider lifestyle habits and strategies to help prevent skin cancer. Melanoma skin cancer (the most aggressive form of skin cancer) is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. It is estimated that around 2,300 people in the UK die from melanoma each year. Fortunately, both nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers can be successfully treated if detected early. And taking steps to limit your exposure to UV radiation from the sun—as well as completely avoiding the use of tanning booths, tanning beds, and sunlamps—can help reduce your risk of skin cancer.



Check out these tips to practise year round to make outdoor time safer and help prevent skin cancer, and discover some of our sun safety educational resources to help spread the word about skin cancer prevention.

  • Limit your time in the midday sun. Try to limit your outdoor activities when UV rays are the strongest—usually between 10 am and 4 pm. Plan outdoor activities for other times of the day when the sun’s rays are less intense. Our What You Should Know About Skin Cancer Folding Display highlights avoiding midday sun in addition to other ways to cut down on UV radiation exposure.

  • Seek shade. Use the shade to protect yourself whilst outdoors, especially when UV rays are at their height. Be aware, however, that shade from trees, canopies, and umbrellas can’t provide complete protection.

  • Cover up with protective clothing. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts to cover as much of your skin as possible. Cover up with dry, tightly-woven fabrics. Dark-coloured clothing may offer additional protection. Some clothing is specifically manufactured and labelled as sun-protective.



  • Wear a protective hat. Select a hat made of tightly woven material with a wide brim that goes all the way around or a hat with a neck flap so that as much as possible of your face, ears, and the back of your neck are covered. Peaked caps and visors offer limited protection.
  • Shield your eyes with sunglasses. Exposure to UV rays can cause painful eye inflammation and increase the risk for cataracts. Choose large-framed, wraparound lenses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

  • Use sunscreen. Put on a broad-spectrum sunscreen (one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays) before heading outdoors—even on cloudy days. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Higher numbers offer greater protection. Apply a generous amount, and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. Don’t forget to protect your lips with a lip balm containing at least SPF 15. Our Sun Safety: Ban the Burn Folding Display emphasises the importance of using sunscreen in addition to other sun safety tips.

  • Don’t use tanning beds, tanning booths, or sunlamps.Tanning beds, tanning booths, and sunlamps expose you to the same damaging UVA and UVB rays as the sun. Using a tanning bed, tanning booth, or sunlamp is not a safe alternative to tanning in the sun. Whether from the sun or from a tanning bed, tanning booth, or sunlamp, a tan is a sign of skin damage.
  • Check your skin regularly. Regularly examining your skin can help you become familiar with the usual appearance of any moles, birthmarks, or blemishes. Report any changes you find to your healthcare professional. Our Skin Cancer Self-Exam Door Hanger is an ideal leaflet to provide patients and students that explains how to examine your skin and what to look for.

Remember: Protecting young people’s skin from damage is especially important. Most sun damage occurs during childhood. Studies suggest that blistering sunburns during childhood can increase the risk of developing both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Teenagers and young adults who use tanning beds, booths, or sunlamps also increase their risk of melanoma.

Find many more great Health Edco sun safety educational resources by checking out our dedicated line of sun safety teaching materials.


The information contained in this newsletter is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.


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