Below are some simple tips for all of us to follow to help reduce the risks and increase the pleasures of the sun.

• Avoid the midday sun. During summer time or in sunny climates it is between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm that the sunrays are at their harshest.
• When exposed to the sun, cover as much of the skin as possible. Long sleeves and a hat will significantly reduce the chances of sunburn.
• Wear a sunscreen that offers a high SPF protection and has broad-spectrum protection (eg. Grahams SunClear).
• Remember to reapply the sunscreen regularly whilst exposed to the sun. You will need to reapply hourly and immediately after swimming or excessive perspiring.
• It is worth applying a sunscreen routinely as part of your daily moisturising program. Especially to the face, which is exposed to the sun even when we are not sunbaking.

It is hard to deny ourselves the pleasures of the sun and indeed we shouldn’t have to. It is simply a matter of taking the time to minimise the risk of sun induced skin damage.

We all need to take care but people with inflammatory skin conditions, like eczema, need to be extra careful. Eczema may be helped temporarily by sunlight, however the sun tends to aggravate the condition as it will increase the skin itch and worsen the overall skin condition. The sun will take the natural moisture from the skin and cause perspiration, which irritates the skin, all leading to a flare up of the condition.

People suffering from eczema can still enjoy the outdoors, however they need to take extra care when venturing out in the sun.