Brits are being urged to bin their out-of-date sun lotion ahead of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations this weekend.
The four-day weekend marking Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne will expect sunny temperatures - but researchers at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London have warned people to avoid using expired lotion.
Sun protection not only reduces the risk of skin cancer and sunburn, it also minimises the ageing effect of the sun.
Experts have found that many people use lotions that are more than ten years old, therefore less effective to protect their skin from harmful UV rays.
Most sun protection products have a 12 month shelf life - which can usually be seen on the back of the item.
Dermatology consultant Dr Catherine Borysiewicz said it is “extremely concerning” to see the lengths people will go to for a tan.
Want to get the latest health news direct to your inbox? Sign up for the Mirror Health newsletter HERE
She added: "Sun protection is vital, whether you're in the UK or abroad, and irrespective of your skin colour.
"Sun creams and sprays provide the necessary protection from skin damage to potentially long-term or even fatal conditions.
"It is also important to purchase new sun protection each year, as creams do expire and will become less effective."
A survey of more than 2,000 participants revealed that most adults have a blasé attitude to sun protection.
The results found that nine percent of people only use sun lotion whilst on holiday abroad, while five percent said they didn’t need to wear it at all.
Of the respondents, 11 percent said they would be willing to risk skin cancer if it meant having a tan and a quarter added they don’t feel good without one.
The survey from the London clinic found that Brits are taking extreme, and potentially dangerous, risks when it comes to their skin.
Around 29 percent said they have used a sunbed in the past, while one in 10 have tried risky tanning products like nasal sprays and injections.
Skin doctors have warned these products could lead to awful side effects such as high blood pressure, spontaneous erections and skin cancer.
Dr Borysiewicz added: "The rise in popularity of tanning products, like Melanotan-2 that can be taken as nasal spray or injection is very worrying.
"These products are potentially very dangerous and have been linked to cancer.
"Really, the only safe way to achieve an all over, year-round tan, without the health risks is using fake tan."
