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Majority of skiers suffer sunburn
January 31, 2012
The British Skin Foundation has reminded people going on skiing trips to apply sunscreen every couple of hours.
Older people who go skiing should remember to apply sunscreen as their skin could be at risk from the sun.
Research by the British Skin Foundation suggests that many people do not use sunscreen, leading the majority to have experienced sunburn at some stage during their winter sports breaks.
Of the 231 survey participants, 12 per cent said they never take sunscreen when going on overseas skiing trips and 54 per cent admitted they had been sunburnt at least once.
The British Skin Foundation said that exposed areas of skin, including the chin, tip of the nose and ears, are particularly at risk while skiing and snowboarding.
The charity also pointed out that up to 90 per cent of UV radiation is reflected by snow.
Dermatologist Dr Bav Shergill said: "We need to be as vigilant with regards to sun safety on the slopes as we are out and about during the summer.
"Skin cancer does not discriminate as to whether you get sunburnt on a beach in Greece or on a mountain in Austria."
Skiers are advised to apply sunscreen to all exposed parts of the body and reapply every couple of hours.
The majority of skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds, according to Cancer Research UK.
Skin cancers can develop in young people but are more common among older people, who have had more time to build up sun damage to their skin.
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