Scots have been enjoying a mini-heatwave over the past few days, with temperatures soaring consistently above 20C.
And the good weather is expected to continue, as forecasters anticipate Scots to experience the hottest day of the year so far tomorrow.
The Met Office is predicting that the mercury could reach as high as 24C in the central belt on Tuesday afternoon.
It is welcome climates for Scots who have had to endure heavy rain, strong winds and even snow throughout the first half of 2021.
Scots have been advised to carry suncream out with them, as the Met Office anticipates the UV index to high across the country over the next few days.
While exposure to the sun can be beneficial for our bones and vitamin D intake, it can also cause some health complications.
Cancer Research UK says that too much ultraviolet (UV) from the sun and sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer.
The charity says that nine in 10 cases of melanoma, which is the most serious type of skin cancer, can be prevented through enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunbeds.
It is believed that getting sunburnt once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer.
Experts at Cancer Research UK have issued a guide on how to enjoy the sun safely in Scotland.
Shade
One of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun's UV rays is to spend some time in the shade - especially between the hours of 11am to 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
You can find or create shade in many ways. Take a break under trees, umbrellas, canopies or head indoors.
Although shade structures can reduce your overall exposure to UV, it probably won’t completely protect you. UV rays can go through some fabrics and reflect off the ground so it’s still important to think about clothing and sunscreen.
Covering up
Protect your skin from the sun with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and good quality sunglasses.
Clothes
Clothing should cover your shoulders and have long sleeves. The more skin that’s covered by your clothing, the better the protection you’re getting.
- Choose clothing that’s loose-fitting and deeper in colour.
- Look for materials with a close weave- as a guide hold the material up to check you can’t see through the fabric.
- Clothing that’s dry also provides more protection than if it’s wet. This is particularly the case for cotton clothes.
Hats
Hats are great for protecting the whole face and head. Choose a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears and neck for the most UV protection.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses can protect your eyes from UV exposure.
When choosing sunglasses look for one of the following:
- 'CE Mark' and British Standard
- UV 400 label and 100% UV protection written on the label or sticker
- Protection at the side of the eye, for example, wraparound styles.
Sunscreen
Sunscreens will not protect us completely from sun damage on their own. However, they can be useful for protecting the parts of skin we can’t shade or cover. This is why we recommend using sunscreens together with shade or clothing to avoid getting too much UV exposure.
We recommend buying sunscreens with a:
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 (UVB protection)
- High star rating with 4 or 5 stars (UVA protection)
UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters ‘UVA’ in a circle which indicates that it meets the EU standard.
Sunscreen shouldn’t be used to extend your time in the sun. Worryingly, research suggests people who use sunscreen to deliberately sunbathe are more likely to spend longer in the sun, and might even be more likely to get sunburnt. Higher factor sunscreens may lure people into a false sense of security.
No sunscreen, no matter how high the factor, can provide 100% protection.
