BRITS are set to bake in a “Saharahn blowtorch” heatwave with temperatures to be hotter than parts of the Caribbean this weekend.
Forecasters have warned that parts of the country could reach as high as 37C tomorrow and a heat health warning is in place.
As lockdown restrictions ease for most of the country, many will want to get out and make the most of the warm sunshine.
But experts say while it’s great to get out and soak up some Vitamin D, there are some important steps to take to avoid getting burned.
Exposure to the sun not only increases the risk of sunburn but could also put you at risk of skin cancer.
Here, two skin doctors reveal their top tips on how to protect your skin from sunburn – and some fridge raider hacks if you do happen to burn yourself…
The sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm, so if you can avoid going out during those times then you should.
Dr Ross Perry, of skin clinics chain Cosmedics, said: “If you are due to go outside, make sure you are wearing appropriate covering.
“Certainly wear a hat and sun block factor 50 if you want the best protection possible for your skin.
“Regular application is also necessary especially if you are going in and out of water or doing sweaty exercise.
Always apply high factor sun block and keep reapplying because even the waterproof versions will not last long.
Dr Lucy Glancey from Dr Glancey Clinics said: “Reapplication is key rather than the level of SPF.”
Stay in the shade for most of the time and do small doses of sun exposure rather than sitting the whole time in the sun, says Dr Glancey.
She adds: “This gives the skin chance to recover and will be less likely to burn.”
But, if you do get a sunburn, get in the shade immediately and start cooling the skin.
Make sure your sun cream covers both UVA and UVB wavelengths – as they both damage your skin but in different ways.
Ultraviolet A (UVA) has a longer wavelength, and is associated with skin aging, while Ultraviolet B (UVB) has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin burning.
Dr Glancey says it’s easy to remember when you think of it like this – A is for ageing and B is for burning.
Everyone knows it’s important to stay hydrated, but it’s never more so than during hot weather such as heatwaves.
Dr Perry says: “Remember to drink a litre and a half of water every day for hydration and also to keep your body temperature down.
“Keep water in the fridge for that extra cooling hydration.
“If you are consuming alcohol and caffeine try and limit it and flush with water to avoid dehydration.”
If you were unfortunate enough to get burned then there are some products you can use to heal the process – which you’re more likely to find in the baby aisle.
Dr Glancey says: “Once the skin starts peeling then apply Sudocream or Bepanthene to the new skin to promote healing and you must protected from the sun meticulously.”
If you don’t have these sorts of products lying around then there’s no doubt you’ve got some aftersun lotion somewhere.
Dr Perry adds: “A good aftersun cream will help your skin following a day in the sun, and vitamin E creams are also recommended if you suffered any sunburn as it helps reduce inflammation.”
For those caught out completely by the hot weather, then there might be some items in your fridge to take the edge of the burns.
Dr Glancey says: “Certain foods and natural products such as cucumber and aloe vera can be very effective to soothe sunburnt skin.
“Keep cucumbers in the fridge and mush and apply to the skin.
“Other soothing kitchen raiders include cold tea bags and even natural yoghurt applied to the skin.”
If you burn your skin then cooling it will be the most soothing thing you can do, Dr Perry says.
He added: “This can be via a cold shower or bath, cold wet flannel or cold compress.”
But he warned: “Do not apply ice directly to the skin.”
It can cause pain and damage.
Wrap the ice in a towel or flannel first then apply that to your skin to take the heat out.
You may need to repeat the processes several times, depending on how bad the burn is.
