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| No safe way to suntan, new NICE guidance warns | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan from sunlight, new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has warned. | There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan from sunlight, new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has warned. |
| The health watchdog's latest guidance also says an existing tan provides little protection against sun exposure. | The health watchdog's latest guidance also says an existing tan provides little protection against sun exposure. |
| It recommends using at least factor 15 sun cream, with adults urged to use 6-8 teaspoons (35ml) per application. | It recommends using at least factor 15 sun cream, with adults urged to use 6-8 teaspoons (35ml) per application. |
| Benefits from building up vitamin D from the sun have to be balanced with the risks of skin cancer, it adds. | Benefits from building up vitamin D from the sun have to be balanced with the risks of skin cancer, it adds. |
| It comes as Hollywood star Hugh Jackman has spoken out about his own experience with skin cancer. The Australian actor has had several sun-related cancerous growths removed from his face in recent years. | |
| He posted a Facebook message urging his friends and followers to get regular skin checks and wear sunscreen. | |
| Balancing risks | |
| Many adults in Britain have low levels of vitamin D and the NICE guidance states that some exposure to sunlight can help to build this up. | |
| NICE also says it is not possible to get enough vitamin D by sitting next to a closed sunny window, or from sunlight between October and March in the UK. | NICE also says it is not possible to get enough vitamin D by sitting next to a closed sunny window, or from sunlight between October and March in the UK. |
| However, experts stopped short of recommending a specific amount of time people should stay out. | However, experts stopped short of recommending a specific amount of time people should stay out. |
| In wide-ranging guidance they recommended: | In wide-ranging guidance they recommended: |
| Professor Gillian Leng, director of health and social care at NICE, said: "How much time we should spend in the sun depends on a number of factors including geographical location, time of day and year, weather conditions and natural skin colour. | Professor Gillian Leng, director of health and social care at NICE, said: "How much time we should spend in the sun depends on a number of factors including geographical location, time of day and year, weather conditions and natural skin colour. |
| "People with lighter skin, people who work outside and those of us who enjoy holidays in sunny countries all have a higher risk of experiencing skin damage and developing skin cancer. | "People with lighter skin, people who work outside and those of us who enjoy holidays in sunny countries all have a higher risk of experiencing skin damage and developing skin cancer. |
| "On the other hand, people who cover up for cultural reasons, are housebound or otherwise confined indoors for long periods of time are all at higher risk of low vitamin D levels." | "On the other hand, people who cover up for cultural reasons, are housebound or otherwise confined indoors for long periods of time are all at higher risk of low vitamin D levels." |
| Do you think this guidance is helpful or will you ignore it? Have you been treated for skin cancer? Email your stories to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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