Shunburn 2013

2012 was a special year for sport and now more than ever we should be getting active and getting ourselves outside. Whether that’s participating in your favourite sport, going for a bike ride with mates or watching football from the terraces, it’s important to take care of your skin when out and about in the sun.

We know that it’s the damage done to your skin when you’re young that could lead to skin cancer developing in later life, so it’s important to avoid the pain and shame of the lobster look by following these five simple steps…

  • Cover up your skin
    Throw on a long sleeved shirt or top that ideally has a collar and a sarong or long shorts to banish those burning rays.

  • Slap on the suncream
    Apply generous amounts of water resistant suncream of at least SPF30 and above, to clean, dry skin before going out in the sun.

  • Wear a hat or cap
    Whether its cowboy hat, a floppy hat or baseball cap, all are good at keeping the heat off your head, face neck and ears.

  • Slip on the shades
    Don’t forget, your eyes need protection too!

  • Chill out in the shade
    When the sun’s rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm, reach for the shade and sit under a tree, building or umbrella.

LOVE THE SUN, RESPECT YOUR SKIN

A five minute film presented by TV and radio presenter Jameela Jamil talking about five easy ways to stay safe in the sun

Sun safety with sports stars

We’ve been speaking to some of our greatest sportsmen and women for their advice on staying safe in the sun.

England rugby union team captain Chris Robshaw


“Rugby is my passion and it doesn’t matter if it’s raining or we’re in the middle of a heatwave, everyday I’m outside either training, playing professionally or just having a kick about with mates. I would hate the fact that sunburn could stop me from doing this for a few days. Not only that but I’d also never live down the ribbing I would get from my team mates if I turned up looking like a red lobster!”

Women’s England Rugby player Danielle Waterman


“From my experience a lot of people really don’t pay enough attention to sun safety when playing sport. I have quite fair skin and playing Rugby Sevens in boiling hot countries, I must admit, has left me with some quite interesting and painful burn lines which I do regret! I have learnt the hard way that when playing sport or doing any form of exercise that you should keep reapplying suncream throughout the day and wear cooling clothing that covers up some of your skin.”

Download: A3 Poster

Stick up this poster in your school, college, common room, or form room...

Download: Leaflet

Give all your friends, colleagues, pupils a copy of this leaflet...

Download: Teaching Pack

This pack is designed to help you create interesting and engaging lessons around Teenage Cancer Trust’s five key sun safety messages and our mantra “Love the sun, respect your skin”...

After sun

If you don't manage to avoid getting burnt in the sun, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and use aftersun lotion on affected areas. If your burns are severe, seek advice from your pharmacist or GP.

Fake it!

Just one session a month on a sunbed can increase your risk of skin cancer by more than half.

Check out your local chemist or department store for fake tans that give great colour without the grave health risks. Fake tan products don't offer sun protection, so keep your five steps for sun safety in mind when you use them.

Can you spare 5 minutes to fill out a sun safety survey?

Teenage Cancer Trust is investigating teachers attitudes to sun safety in the classroom as well as what current students and those out of education experiences of being taught how to be safe in the sun.

If you’re a teacher please fill in this survey

If you’re a current student or no longer a student please fill in this survey

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Free Burn Alerts

Teenage Cancer Trust offers a free burn alert text message service which reminds you to stay safe in the sun during the hottest days of the year. To sign-up, text the word BURN2 to 70300.


Teenage Cancer Trust burn alert texts are sponsored by Club 1830

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THE LAW

Sunbeds banned for under 18s

In 2010 Teenage Cancer Trust hosted a photo call outside parliament and lobbied MPs to vote in support of the Sunbed Regulatory Bill.

In 2011 the law preventing under 18’s using sunbeds finally came into effect!

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