Be sun smart in summer

Whether we love them or hate them, the hot, sunny days have arrived. Warnings against the harm done by sun rays to our skin can be found everywhere. Ignorance in this case is undoubtedly no excuse at all.

Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva also alerts us to the importance of adequate protection from the sun and reminds us to look out for the clearer labelling on sunscreen bottles.

In 2006, the European Commission had recommended that the new labels on sunscreen products should include a new UV-A logo or seal.

The reason being that while UV-B radiation causes sunburn, UV-A radiation causes premature skin ageing and interference with the immune system.

Since both types of radiation increase the risk of skin cancer, we have the right to be informed that the sunscreen product we are buying may not protect us completely.

This information is now within our reach because 95 per cent of sunscreen products use the standardised UV-A logo, enabling us to easily recognise products that provide adequate protection.

Moreover, the Commission has recommended that alongside the traditional sun protection factors, consumers should also find the verbal descriptors 'low', 'medium', 'high' and 'very high' protection.

'Low' protection is up to factor 10; 'medium' varies from factor 15 to 25; 'high' from 30 to 50; and 'very high' protection is factor 50 and over.

This additional information gives us a better guide when we are choosing the appropriate sunscreen product.

The European Commission has also prohibited the use of misleading terms such as 'sunblocker' or 'total protection' on sunscreen bottles, because sunscreen products are only one of a number of measures necessary for effective protection against the sun.

No sunscreen product can provide full protection from UV radiation.

To be fully protected it is recommended to avoid excessive sun exposure at peak hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.); keep ourselves well covered and wear hats and sunglasses when we simply cannot stay out of the sun; babies and young children should always be kept in the shade; and apply sun- screen products in sufficient quantity.

The correct application of the product is just as important as the choice of product.

To reach the protection indicated on the 'sun protection factor', a quantity of 36 grams (six full teaspoons) of sunscreen is needed for one adult body.

Statistics show that consumers only use about half this quantity.

Moreover, this quantity needs to be reapplied after swimming or towelling to maintain protection.

Ms Vella is senior information officer, Consumer and Competition Division.

customer@timesofmalta.com, odette.vella@gov.mt