Sun Awareness Week 2017
May 8th – 14th
Sun Awareness Week takes place from May 8th to 14th 2017.
The campaign is owned by and trademarked to the British Association of Dermatologists.
This year the emphasis is on raising awareness of the ongoing instances of potentially damaging sunburn, despite improved public awareness of the risks of sun exposure.
Dr Nick Levell, President of the British Association of Dermatologists, explains:
“British people are increasingly well informed about sun protection and seem to understand the risks of sunburn, largely thanks to campaigns like Sun Awareness Week, however it’s proving to be a long and slow road to actually changing how we, as a culture, look after ourselves in the sun.
“Too many people are ready to laugh off sunburn as the inevitable price of enjoying the summer, but it shouldn’t be. It’s possible to enjoy the sun, and summer, without suffering sun damage; it just takes a bit of care.
“Particularly shocking is the small, but not insignificant, proportion of the population who seem to be “super burners”. It’s far from ideal for anyone to get sunburnt, but there are people out there who are reporting being burnt seven, eight, nine, ten, or even eleven times a year, both in the UK and abroad*. These people are really putting their lives at risk and need to think about how they can change their behaviour to prevent sunburn.”
Sunburn Statistics for Sun Awareness Week
A YouGov online poll was carried out into sunburn and sun habits. 2,145 adults participated in April 2017 and results were filtered to the 2,110 who included a skin type assessment. The results showed surprising levels of sunburn.
Findings of the survey were:
- 35% Brits have been sunburnt in the last year while in the UK
- Of those 28% were sunburnt three or more times
- 46% of people who have been abroad in the last twelve months were sunburnt whilst away
- Of those who suffered sunburn, the factors they blamed related to sun protection advice:
- 61% didn’t realise how strong the sun
- 43% did not reapply sunscreen after long periods
- 30% did not reapply sunscreen after sweating or swimming
- 88% of Brits believe that sun awareness messaging is relevant to their skin type
The survey also revealed the reasons why people had sunburn:
- 19% wanted a tan
- 8% blamed alcohol consumption
- 13% fell asleep in the sun
Sun Awareness Week 2017
This annual campaign is designed to raise awareness of skin cancer through prevention and detection advice – teaching people about the dangers of sunburn and encouraging them to check for any suspicious moles or worrying skin blemishes.
Mole Checking
Doctors at Cosmedics Skin Clinics warn their patients to always be vigilant for suspicious moles.
Dr Ross Perry, a leading mole removal expert who is the Company’s founder and Medical Director, calls it the ‘ugly duckling sign’ and advises patients to seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out skin cancer.
Cosmetic Moles
If the mole is deemed to be ‘safe’, then removal on the NHS is now quite unlikely as it will be classed as a cosmetic issue.
Many adults therefore choose private mole removal clinics for treatment. For some this is about peace of mind, for others it is purely an aesthetic issue.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer mole removal in London and Bristol with qualified and experienced doctors. Moles are removed using the latest surgical techniques including laser mole removal; with techniques designed to minimise scarring and make the procedure entirely painless.
For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.
