Most of us enjoy spending time outdoors in the sunshine but it is essential to be aware of the potential damage that over-exposure can cause. As well as being painful, sunburn can accelerate skin aging, leave lasting scars and is also the leading cause of melanoma, which is the deadliest type of skin cancer.

National Sun Awareness Week is a campaign organised by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). The campaign is overseen by the organisations Skin Cancer Prevention Committee, which comprises top medical professionals who specialise in the causes and treatment of skin cancer.

Sunburn is the visible sign that the outermost layers of the skin have been damaged by UV radiation from the sun. In this edition of the Jobskin® blog, we'll offer advice on how you can protect yourself from the sun and the potentially deadly damage it can cause.

The sun is at its hottest between the hours of 11am and 3pm so you should make sure that you seek shade during these hours. It's important to cover up as much as possible with suitable clothing, which should include a wide-brimmed hat.

It is also essential to use a high-quality sunscreen: it is recommended that the sunscreen should have an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 to help protect the skin from UVB. The sunscreen you choose should also have a minimum of 4-star UVA protection (this is often indicated on the label with the letters 'UVA' in a circle, which guarantees that the product meets the EU standard.

Sunscreen should be applied to any exposed skin, including the ears, neck and face. It should also be applied to the head if you have little or no hair. It should be applied frequently according to the manufacturer's instructions. Even if the sunscreen is labelled as water-resistant, it should be reapplied immediately after you have been in the water.

The surface of the eye can be damaged by the sun: reflected sunlight (from things like water, sand, concrete and snow) is especially dangerous. Choose wraparound sunglasses for the best protection and make sure that they carry both the British Standard Mark 12312-1:2013 and the CE Mark.

Jobskin® offer access to a range of products designed to combat problem scarring caused by burns. Find out more on our website and have a safe summer!