Latest news with #suncream
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Heatwaves hit different when you're a redhead
Heatwave, anyone? As another warm weekend beckons, the Met Office has revealed that we experienced the hottest spring on record. But not everyone is cock-a-hoop at the nice weather. Spare a thought for Britain's gingers, who are usually well-prepped for the rigours of a British summer, but who now must stretch out our dependency on SPF50 and large, hideous hats through spring and autumn, with only the end of Strictly and the duration of The Traitors providing a guaranteed period of respite. By 'gingers' (a ghastly word, by the way, takes me straight back to being bullied at school), I do of course mean any redheads like me, blessed with a pallor that allows excellent camouflage in areas of Scotland and Ireland during high winter, and which is absolutely useless at any other time. But I also include anyone else who struggles with the heat – spiritual gingers, if you will, like my friend Sonal, a former criminal barrister, who has established a cutting-edge skincare brand, This is Silk, inspired by how she treated her rare allergy to sunlight. I have been awash with suncream pretty much every day since 2005. Thankfully, the quality has risen dramatically since I was a baby, when my fair mother – partly raised in Singapore, where she and her sisters coated themselves in oil like so many jacket potatoes – would swipe me with factor two. This was considered unimaginably high in the early 1980s and quite akin to staying indoors and hiding under the bed til the clocks went back. The only problem today is that cheap sunscreen tends to be horrendous on sensitive skin or leaves a very obvious cast, and the good stuff is wildly expensive and comes in tubes the size of a fun-size Snickers. To keep covered in the stuff to the level that I need costs me a fortune – and I do need it, as the alternative is to rapidly become lightheaded and wobbly. My solution is usually to stay inside for the majority of daylight hours and go out covered in hats, sunglasses and long sleeves where needed. Australia's long-running awareness campaign, 'Slip, Slap, Slop' remains very relevant, even if I spent much of my UK childhood wondering which one referred to 'having an ice lolly'. It's simply not worth doing otherwise, either to get burned (which I can do in under a minute on high UV days) or to use a cheap and cheerful suncream and have the inevitable breakout or rash from trying to get my sensitive skin playing ball. My dad (equally redhead, but less pallid due to a love of sailing) has become a devotee of the excellent Altruist sun cream, which I keep forgetting to stock up on online. He and the rest of my family can tan really beautifully. I gave up even trying in my early twenties, and have concluded that a neat trick to appear less ghostly is to wear a screamingly-white bathing suit instead. Conversely, my favourite hobby is very ginger-friendly. When I go horse riding, I relish the opportunity to cover up in gloves, a hat, boots, a long-sleeved summer base layer etc, all technically for protection should I fall into a tree. I went on a horsey travel assignment to India a few years ago and have never been more comfortable than riding through the Thar desert, swathed in layers. Since I got my retriever, Sybil, I've had a companion slash excuse to hide away from the sunlight – it's simply cruel to walk a dog when the pavement can be used to sizzle bacon, especially when said dog resembles a sheepskin rug from Ikea. When, in the record-breakingly hot summer of 2022, we both had serious operations within weeks of each other, it was something of a relief to be able to hide indoors to recover. It also gives me time to pray, pray, pray that someone with money and influence will turn their laser focus to sorting out the climate. Rather naively, I thought this conversation had already been settled during the greenhouse gas debate of the 1990s. If only this were something Blue Peter could rectify now through a campaign. Perhaps we could organise a Bring 'n' Buy Sale. I've got loads of sun cream I can bring along to keep everyone covered.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I only wear black clothing because I have huge sweat marks under my armpits and it's affecting my confidence – help!
NOW the sun is out, your SPF should be too. Did you know we are recommended to use two shot glasses worth of suncream to cover our body? It might seem excessive, but no patch should be left uncovered. In fact, it's the little areas – the tops of the ears, back of the hands, tip of the nose – that are high-risk spots for skin cancer. Melanoma skin cancer has been increasing in frequency. Cancer Research UK analysis shows rates rose by almost a third between 2009 and 2019. But 86 per cent of cases are preventable by protecting skin from UV rays. You can reduce risk by applying suncream but also wearing a hat and staying in the shade . . . in the UK as well as holiday hotspots. Reapply suncream every few hours to protect your skin. Five or more sunburns more than doubles your risk of developing potentially deadly melanoma, warns the Skin Cancer Foundation. Here's what readers have been asking me this week . . . SWEAT MARKS THE PITS Q: FOR years, I've had huge sweat marks under my armpits. It's affecting my confidence because I mainly wear black clothing that shows it up less, when I would love to wear different colours. I have tried everything and nothing seems to work. Please help. A: The medical word for excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis and it affects at least one per cent of people. It can be an embarrassing condition but is not an illness – rather it's the extreme end of the spectrum of normal sweating. Armpits are a common place for it to occur, as well as on the hands, feet or face. The symptoms tend to be prominent in the daytime most days but absent at night. More rarely there can be an underlying cause or disease causing the sweating. But this would normally be obvious because there would be other symptoms, or an unusual pattern of sweating more at night. While it is not dangerous to health, hyperhidrosis can terribly affect a person's life. Aluminium chloride (20 per cent) is advised as a first treatment. It is available from the pharmacy without prescription. The correct way to use it is by applying it at night just before sleep, then washing it off in the morning. Apply every one to two days, until symptoms improve. Following this, use as required, which may be up to every six weeks. A major downside of aluminium chloride is that it can cause irritation. To reduce risk of this, use an emollient to moisturise the skin, and gentle soap for washing (or use emollient as a soap substitute). If irritation does happen you can reduce the frequency to maybe just twice a week, and use a one-per-cent hydrocortisone steroid cream, which again can be bought directly from the pharmacy. By day, use an antiperspirant rather than a deodorant. The former reduces sweat, but the latter masks odour. Other treatments include iontophoresis, which uses a low-voltage electric current to calm the sweat glands; it is a little impractical for armpits but can work when using specially designed pads. And Botox injections into the armpit skin can give relief from excessive sweating for six to nine months, but this can be expensive and may lead to compensatory sweating elsewhere. The International Hyperhidrosis Society ( can be a useful resource. Q: I AM a woman who is 74 years young. I had a hysterectomy at age 47 and since then have suffered with ongoing UTI s. 4 I had my bladder stretched ten years ago which did help for two years, but the problem is back. Three years ago I got referred to another consultant and had a bladder camera check, plus a scan, which didn't find anything. I was put on Hiprex, 1g, for six months but it didn't work. Then I was put on nitrofurantoin, 50mg, for six months. One every night did work but apparently I cannot stay on them as they could make my stomach bleed. I read that there is a uromone vaccine I could possibly try, but how do I get it? In the past I've had numerous antibiotics, and have started to have a probiotic every morning to help my gut. Please help. A: There are various types of UTI vaccine being developed to treat recurrent UTIs. They include ones that can be swallowed, injected, applied to the vagina and sprayed under the tongue. All work by training the body's natural immune system to fight off a UTI before it can take hold. In the UK, UTI vaccines are not currently licensed for routine use but the hope is they may provide a potential alternative to antibiotics for recurrent UTIs in the near future. I find it interesting that your symptoms started when you had the hysterectomy. Were your ovaries removed as well as the womb? If so this would have put you into immediate menopause and I do wonder how much your symptoms may be helped by using topical oestrogen. This means using a tablet, pessary, cream, gel or ring that you insert into your vagina, which can help with urinary symptoms (including recurrent UTIs) linked to lack of oestrogen. Whilst this is a type of HRT, it does not have any of the risks associated with systemic HRT, so there is no reason not to give it a try. Another suggestion would be D-Mannose, which is an over-the-counter treatment that can be used if the infection is caused by the bacteria. Research suggests success rates of this treatment can be as high as 45 per cent at six months, but care needs to be taken in those who have or are at risk of diabetes, as D-Mannose is a sugar. How can I relieve kneecap pain? Q: I AM an 85-year-old man and worked in the marble and granite industry all my life. I consider myself fortunate to have had no illnesses at all. 4 But three years ago I went to my GP with a painful kneecap, which caused me to fall. I was sent for physio and tried different exercises, to no avail. Finally, I asked about an injection but was told they don't always work. I also asked about an op but was told there is a two-year wait, and that by then I might not be fit enough for surgery. I was given co-codamol and a gel to apply – all of which is doing no good. I have now resorted to wearing a knee brace, which helps a little. But is there anything else I can try? A: Try to get referred back to the musculoskeletal team at the hospital for more information about these two potential treatments. If surgery could help, I'd opt to get on the list and work towards improving your fitness to prepare for the surgery. And yes, it is true that steroid injections don't always work, but sometimes they do. So I'd be saying 'let's try it' because you might be one of the ones it does work for. It could give you the relief you need to get moving more – which brings me on to what you can do for yourself, and that is exercise. This is the number one therapy for osteoarthritis. Exercise can strengthen the muscles around the knee, and alleviate symptoms, but I understand that this may seem a little counter-intuitive if a joint is painful. So use painkillers and don't be afraid to gradually increase movement. Studies have shown conclusively that improving strength can alleviate symptoms, even if you need to use painkillers. In some areas of the UK there are exercise programmes such as Escape Pain ( designed to help lessen pain and rehabilitate. Things like cycling and swimming are also beneficial for pain. Exercise can be done at home and the NHS website has some useful videos. BRUSHING WITH DANGER HALF of us go to bed without brushing our teeth at least once a week, a survey found. The Oral Health Foundation warns millions are at risk of tooth rot due to laziness. 4 One in three fail to brush 'a few times a week', with that figure rising to 43 per cent for under-25s. The OHF said it increases the chance of tooth decay as most people say they eat sugary snacks before bed. A third snack every night after dinner, of whom 68 per cent opt for sugary treats such as chocolate, sweets and biscuits. Three quarters of adults are missing at least one tooth and almost nine in ten have fillings. Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says: 'The UK is becoming a nation of late-night snackers and our teeth are paying the price. 'Snacking on sugary treats every night and then skipping brushing before bed is a recipe for disaster. 'When you don't brush, sugar and bacteria stay on your teeth all night, producing acids that eat away at the enamel. 'Over time, this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. 'If you do choose to snack, pick options that won't harm your teeth. 'Savoury choices such as cheese, nuts or breadsticks are much better for your oral health. ' Brushing your teeth before bed is essential. It's your last line of defence against tooth decay.' FAT LINK TO SCALY SKIN BELLY fat increases your risk of the skin condition psoriasis, a study warns. Psoriasis, which affects one in 50 people, causes scaly patches of skin usually around the scalp, knees and elbows. Researchers at King's College London analysed data from over 330,000 Brits, including more than 9,000 people with psoriasis. They found that abdominal fat was strongly linked to the likelihood of having the condition, particularly for women. Study author Dr Ravi Ramessur said: 'Our research shows that where fat is stored in the body matters when it comes to psoriasis risk. 'Central fat, especially around the waist, seems to play a key role. "This has important implications for how we identify individuals who may be more likely to develop psoriasis or experience more severe disease, and how we approach prevention and treatment strategies.' Psoriasis typically begins in a person's 20s or 50s. It is thought that a problem with the immune system causes the skin cells to replace faster than they should. Experts reckon Ozempic-style fat jabs, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, may help people with psoriasis. Dr Joel Gelfand, from the University of Pennsylvania, said: 'The strong relationship between psoriasis and obesity, and the emerging promise of GLP-1 RAs, is a call to action for clinical trials.'
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Cleaning gurus swear by £2 trick to banish stubborn sun cream stains from even the whitest of clothes this summer
WITH spring in full swing and the weather heating up, many of us are sure to be slapping on the sun cream before we head out to spend time in the sun. Wearing sun cream is vital for everyone, no matter your age, but if you've spotted a stubborn stain on your favourite top thanks to your UV protection, don't worry, you've come to the right place. 4 4 4 4 Sun cream can often leave harsh stains on clothes that are a challenge to remove - but luckily for you, cleaning enthusiasts have sworn by a £2 trick that will remove the sticky stuff from even the whitest of outfits this summer. And don't worry if you're on a budget, as thankfully you may already have the secret at home. It comes after a woman posted on Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips, a private Facebook group with 622,800 members, and wrote: "I know this has been asked many times, but I can't remember the answer. 'Sorry to be a pain, but could someone tell me how to get the yellow effect sun lotion leaves on white T-shirts out, please?" Numerous social media users eagerly raced to the comments to share their handy tips and tricks, with the common solution being to use soda crystals, which can be picked up from most supermarkets. One person simply advised: "Soak in soda crystals." Whilst another added: "I use Milton and soda crystals. Soak overnight, then wash, dry outside in the sun." If you fancy giving this trick a try, you'll be pleased to know that you can find the large bags of Dri-Pak Soda Crystals from Asda, Sainsbury's and Savers, for just £2 a bag. To use soda crystals to banish stains, you'll first of all need to grab a clean cloth and blot the stain gently. Then, sprinkle the soda crystals onto the stain and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. The £1.25 buy parents are swearing by to get rid of stains in seconds, and it works on everything from pen to ketchup Following this, you can apply a small amount of dish soap, which you should massage in gently and then let sit for five to 10 minutes. Once you've done this, rinse the garment under warm water and then wash the item as normal. The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez - known as Dr Dray - revealed why you should wear suncream. The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference - and this matters for all ages - is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed. "The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation," she continued, not because you're "not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday". "If you're not doing in your 20s, get on that now." But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn't go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun. Doing this over your lifetime - and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days - "will reduce the visible signs of photoageing", Andrea said. Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin. Not only did many rave about using soda crystals to banish stains, but other commenters suggested the woman try covering the stain in washing-up liquid. As well as this, cleaning fans also claimed that white vinegar does the trick. One user posted: "Distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Leave to soak and then rub original fairy liquid into the area. "You have to get the yellowing, protein and the oil out, and all three of these will do this." Meanwhile, a second recommended: "White vinegar. Spray on, leave for a while, then wash in bio detergent. Try and hang outside in the sun." Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club More hacks to get rid of harsh stains Baking Soda and Vinegar: Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with vinegar and wash as usual. Lemon Juice and Salt: Squeeze lemon juice over the stain. Sprinkle salt generously. Rub the fabric together and leave it in the sun for an hour before washing. Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Dab the mixture onto the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse. Milk for Ink Stains: Soak the stained area in milk. Leave it overnight. Rinse and wash the following day. White Vinegar for Grass Stains: Apply white vinegar directly to the grass stain. Let it soak for 15 minutes. Wash as usual. Cornflour for Grease Stains: Sprinkle cornflour onto the grease stain. Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the grease. Brush off the cornflour and wash the garment. Toothpaste for Collar Stains: Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to the collar stain. Scrub gently with a toothbrush. Rinse and wash as usual.
