How many times should you be reapplying sunscreen? Debunking factor 50 myths

It’s the time of year when holidaymakers are getting ready to pack their bags and while some opt to go abroad, others will be holidaying at home.

While many have flights booked for trips abroad to the sun and know to where sunscreen, it is important that those who remain on Irish soil wear sunscreen everyday during the summer season, too.

Despite many avoiding wearing factor 50 at home, considering the Irish weather, it is crucial we protect our Irish skin from harsh UV rays that come with that badly-needed vitamin D. 

“We need to be wearing sunscreen all year around,” said Dr Aoife Lally, consultant dermatologist at St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin.

“People are always looking for an excuse not to put on sunscreen but the easiest thing to do is make it part of your daily routine.

“The majority of Irish people, about 80% of our population, have fair skin that always burns or, burns and then tans. If you’re out and about all day, you should be reapplying it every 2 to 3 hours - that is key.”

Dr Lally says that Irish people should not be using sunscreen as their ‘main protection’ from the sun, but that it should be the last step after you put on the hat and clothes - despite popular belief.

“It’s more than just about the sunscreen itself; avoiding the sun during peak hours, covering up with clothing and wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and then, putting on factor on the areas that are exposed is the best way forward.”

Between 12,000 to 13,000 skin cancer cases are reported in Ireland each year and as a nation, we remain firmly in the top 10 countries with the highest rates of melanoma in the world. 

“People don’t think Ireland is very sunny so we often get caught out on those nice days or else, get sun damage [to our skin] through the cloud. 

“We do get a good deal of sun exposure and our skin cancer rates are fairly high for a country which is not seen as a sunny destination.”