Muddy Stilettos


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="683" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/woman-model-sunbathing-on-sand-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-24171" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/woman-model-sunbathing-on-sand-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/woman-model-sunbathing-on-sand--300x205.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/woman-model-sunbathing-on-sand--720x492.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/woman-model-sunbathing-on-sand--769x525.jpg 769w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Whether you’re staycaying in the UK, or heading overseas for sea and surf, there’s no denying that this summer is HOT. Those of us who were teens in the Eighties and Nineties will remember holidays to Europe slathered in Body Shop Coconut Oil (guilty as charged), gritting our teeth through the midday sun for the kind of deep tan that the word ‘leather’ was invented for. </p>



<p>Now we&#8217;re more aware of the dangers of that big yellow orb &#8211; but<em> still</em> perhaps not as much as we should be. With You Gov research from last summer showing nearly 30% of British men and women admitting getting sunburnt in the UK in 2021, and with another heatwave likely to hit our shores this coming month, we’ve asked <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Healthily (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.livehealthily.com/?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=sunsafety" target="_blank">Healthily</a> &#8211; the medically reviewed website, award-winning Smart Symptom Checker and app &#8211; about the best ways to stay safe in the sun this summer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Always choose a ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreen</strong></h2>



<p>What this means is that you&#8217;re protecting yourself against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are responsible for most types of sunburn and are thought to cause most skin cancers, while UVA rays are longer and reach deeper into your skin, causing premature ageing. So, you know, neither are much fun. Wear a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, which protects against 97% UVB, and make sure it offers a minimum of 4-star UVA protection to help keep skin healthy, prevent skin cancer and premature ageing. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Check how often you should apply sunscreen.  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.livehealthily.com/sun-safety/sunscreen-how-to-apply-it-and-how-often?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=sunsafety" target="_blank">Check how often you should apply sunscreen here. </a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Don’t wait until you get in the sun to apply sunscreen</strong></h2>



<p>By the time you’ve put down your towel, had a quick dip in the pool, got settled with your magazine and checked your IG feed, you’ll have been without sunscreen for at least 15 minutes and the UV waves will have had an illegal rave on your skin. Make sure you apply your SPF about 30 minutes before you head out into the sun so your skin has time to absorb it and it can offer the best protection. And, importantly, don’t skimp – an average adult needs to apply about 6-8 teaspoons (35ml) of sunscreen to get the protection level promised on the label. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Do a shadow test</strong></h2>



<p>Ideally, we should all avoid the heat between 11am-3pm, but if you’re not sure of the time, go old school and use your body like a sundial. If your shadow is shorter than you, it means UV rays are strong and you should be doubly careful. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Don&#8217;t just use SPF in summer – even in the UK </strong></h2>



<p>Britain’s climate is becoming increasingly continental but even when we’re looking at the more regular, cloudy day in autumn and winter, UV rays can penetrate through the clouds. Not sure how worried you should be? Just check your daily ‘UV index’ on most national weather forecasts (scroll down your BBC weather app locations and you’ll see it clearly). 1-2 is low; 3-5 is medium; 6-7 is high; 8-10 is very high; and 11+ is extremely high! Anything above 3 and you need to regularly apply SPF, particularly if you have pale skin or burn easily. Find out more about the UV and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="how much sunscreen you need here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.livehealthily.com/sun-safety/safety-in-the-sun-how-to-get-the-health-benefits-without-the-risks?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=sunsafety" target="_blank">how much sunscreen you need here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Don’t assume you’re safe in the shade</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="670" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/summer-reading-book-beach-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57100" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/summer-reading-book-beach-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/summer-reading-book-beach--600x402.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/summer-reading-book-beach--784x525.jpg 784w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>15% of UV rays reflect off sand, so if you’re on the beach, it’s highly likely your skin is absorbing some of the UV even if you&#8217;re in the shade. You’re not safe in the sea either &#8211; 25% of UV rays are reflected off sea foam. UVA light can also penetrate glass, so if you’re driving for long periods or working near a window, you should wear sunscreen. Finally, don’t even get us started on snow – 80% of rays will penetrate your skin on the slopes, so bear that in mind when you’re booking the Alps this winter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Avoid sunburn at all costs </strong></h2>



<p>While we can’t turn back time, it’s worth knowing going forward that one sunburn that’s serious enough to blister <em>doubles</em> your risk of getting skin cancer. Even a less extreme version of getting sunburned once every two years triples your chances of getting melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer). People who get sunburned a lot can also be at higher risk of getting cataracts. Check out how to avoid sunburn plus <a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/sun-safety/sunburn?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=sunsafety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="what really works to ease it if you do get caught out. (opens in a new tab)">what really works to ease it if you do get caught out.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Go high on the SPF</strong></h2>



<p>Make wearing sunscreen part of your routine. If your skincare products or makeup have SPF that’s great, but you’d need to put on a LOT to give you enough coverage. Don’t rely on them alone &#8211; apply your sunscreen first. The higher the SPF number, the better you can expect to be protected. Remember a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 gives you about 94% protection against UVB. That goes up to 97% with SPF 30 and 98% with SPF 50+. As a general rule, experts now recommend that we all use at least SPF 30. Coconut oil body-basting? Never, ever again.</p>



<p><em>Check out all the <a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/sun-safety/summary?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=sunsafety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="latest tips from Healthily on suncare (opens in a new tab)">latest tips from Healthily on suncare</a>, from sunburn relief to prickly heat, spotting cancers to treating photosensitivity, all medically checked and verified</em>. <em><strong>PLUS head to Reader Treats to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="win a swanky new Apple Watch Series 7, compatible with the Healthily app.  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-apple-watch-series-7/" target="_blank">win a swanky new Apple Watch Series 7, compatible with the Healthily app. </a></strong></em></p>


8 easy ways to protect yourself against sun ageing

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