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.”
Jorgie Porter supports Shunburn
Download: A3 Poster
Stick up this poster in your school, college, common room, or form room...
SHUNBURN-2012-POSTER-PORTRAIT.pdf (3.30 mb)
Download: Leaflet
Give all your friends, colleagues, pupils a copy of this leaflet...
- Shunburn-Z-Card-2013.pdf (1.42 mb)
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”...
- shunburn_teaching_pack.pdf (4.43 mb)
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.
NEWS
Sports teachers ignore sun safety
We're calling for sports teachers, coaches, schools and clubs to take more responsibility for young people’s sun safety, after research shows three quarters of students (70%) have never been encouraged to wear suncream before a PE or sport’s lesson at school, even though most (83%) say they would if they were asked.
The call comes on the back of the latest cancer incidence statistics showing malignant melanoma is the most common cancer in young women aged between 15 and 24 years.
As part of our annual sun safety campaign, Shunburn, we questioned 13-24 year olds on their attitudes to sun safety and sport. As well as highlighting the lack of support for sun safety during sports from schools, the survey also demonstrates that young people still sacrificed sun safety for image. Over half (54%) of young people never apply suncream or cover up for sport, blaming forgetfulness (35%). A fifth (22%) think hats are uncool and look silly and the majority would never wear a hat whilst playing sport (67%).
For more information click here.
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
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!
