The NHS and Met Office have issued a joint sun safety alert, urging the public to follow a 'two hour rule' for sunscreen application as the UK heatwave continues with temperatures reaching 30C.
The Met Office and NHS are encouraging anyone venturing outdoors to reapply sunscreen every two hours. This fresh warning was issued on social media, reinforcing health service guidance during periods of extreme heat.
The Met Office forecasts that most of England and Wales will experience dry conditions with abundant sunshine on Sunday (May 24). It stated: 'A widely hot or even very hot day with places reaching the low 30s in the southeast. Cloudier in the northwest of Scotland with rain at times.' Looking ahead to Monday, the Met Office predicts: 'It remains hot, especially in the south but cooler along the coasts.'
On X this afternoon, the Met Office published a series of 'rules' for people to protect themselves and others during the warm weather. One 'rule of thumb' it suggests is drawn from NHS guidance. It stated: 'The NHS advises that sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently (every two hours), and straight after you have been in water, even if it's water resistant, and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off.'
The NHS warns that sunburn raises your risk of skin cancer. It is crucial to remember that sunburn doesn't only occur while you're abroad; you can burn in the UK, even during overcast conditions. According to the NHS, there's no safe or healthy method to achieve a tan. It states: 'A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects. Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight. Do not rely on sunscreen alone to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun's at its hottest.'
Ensure your sunscreen hasn't exceeded its expiry date. The NHS explains: 'This is marked by a symbol of an open jar, an M and a number, which shows how many months the sunscreen will last once it's been opened. Do not spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.' UVA protection may also be shown by the letters 'UVA' within a circle, demonstrating adherence to EU standards. When purchasing sunscreen, the label should display additional information.
Additional 'protect yourself from UV' guidance issued by the Met Office includes seeking shade between 11am and 3pm, alongside covering up with appropriate clothing, wraparound sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
