Keep safe in the sun advice for rugby players and supporters
Staff from The University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust’s dermatology research team will be ensuring Salford City Reds fans don’t let their skin match the club’s name at their game on Friday 9 August.
Their latest sun safety awareness event takes place at the Salford City Stadium before the Reds play Leeds Rhinos.
Members of the dermatology research team are teaming up with the British Association of Dermatologists to share top tips on how to keep your skin safe in the sun and to provide sunscreen samples.
, Professor of Dermatology at The University of Manchester and Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal, will also be leading a mole education event on Monday 5 August with players from the Salford City Reds team. He will be encouraging them to check their own skin and will be explaining the signs to look out for.
He is urging fans to follow the players’ example by checking their own skin.
Professor Griffiths said: “Most skin cancers can be cured if detected early. The best way to detect skin cancer is to check your skin regularly, from top to toe. You should tell your doctor immediately about any changes to a mole or patch of skin.”
Some sunshine can be good for us, helping the body produce Vitamin D, but according to
Professor Griffiths over exposure to the sun can lead to a range of skin problems. “We may associate a tan with looking healthy, but it’s actually the opposite – a tan is a sign that skin has been damaged. Sunlight contains different wavelengths of ultraviolet light. UVA rays attack the tissues that give our skin its elasticity, leading to premature ageing and wrinkling, while UVB rays affect the top layers of our skin, causing sun burn and, in the worst cases, skin cancer.
“However, it is still possible to enjoy the sunshine this summer by taking a few important steps to protect the skin, such as using a SPF 30 with the UVA circle sunscreen daily.”
Tips for looking after your skin in the sun include:
• Protect skin with clothing, including a hat, T-shirt and UV protective sunglasses.
• Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm when it’s sunny.
• Use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 (SPF 50 for children or people with pale skin) which also has high UVA protection.
• Keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight.
• Sunscreens are not an alternative to clothing and shade, they merely offer additional protection. No sunscreen will provide 100% protection.
• Tell your doctor about any changes to a mole.
Salford Royal and The University of Manchester are two of the partners in MAHSC, the 91直播 Academic Health Science Centre, which recognises excellence across research, innovation, education and patient service.
ENDS
Notes for editors
For further information, please call Communications Officer Claire Mooney on 0161 206 8161 or claire.mooney@manchester.ac.uk or alison.barbuti@manchester.ac.uk
Images available on request.
Image caption: SKIN CHECK: Professor Chris Griffiths gives advice to Salford Reds' Ashley Gibson Photo by Bill McLaughlin
• Prof Griffiths will be at the Salford City Stadium at 2pm on Monday 5 August if you wish to to take pictures of him or film him with the players.
• Salford Royal and the University of Manchester are two of the partners in MAHSC, the 91直播 Academic Health Science Centre.