Despite decades of awareness campaigns linking too much sun exposure to skin cancer and ageing, the perception that tans are both healthy and attractive remains firmly “entrenched” in the European consciousness, a study presented at the 31st European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress suggests.
The La Roche-Posay Laboratoires and IPSOS survey found that 80 per cent of Europeans believe tans are attractive while 73 per cent believe they are healthy.
The study of 17,000 people from 17 countries, including 6,000 people from the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Russia, exposed other persistent myths, including beliefs that sun protection is not needed in cloudy weather and that you do not need sunscreen if you already have a tan.
People surveyed from non-European countries, including North and South America, Africa, Oceania and Asia, were slightly less enthusiastic about tans than Europeans, with 67 per cent saying a tan was attractive and 59 per cent believing a tan was healthy.
Although 92 per cent per cent of Europeans were aware of the skin ageing risks posed by the sun (86 per cent outside of Europe), 84 per cent of them admitted they did not protect themselves all year round (79 per cent outside of Europe).
Commenting on the findings, lead researcher Prof Thierry Passeron said: “This research shows just how entrenched the “healthy” sun-tan myth is — even in those who have already suffered sun damage or developed skin cancer.”
“We must drive awareness of the damage to skin cells caused by exposure to the sun, which can lead to photoaging and skin cancer. This is particularly important in Europe, where sun protection appears most inadequate compared to other countries.”
The survey also revealed that only 56 per cent of Europeans know sun protection is useful when the weather is overcast (vs 64 per cent outside of Europe), and that 24 per cent think it is safe to go outside without sun protection when they are already tanned (vs 21 per cent outside of Europe).
Only one in 10 of Europeans said they routinely or often use all forms of protection, such as applying sunscreen, staying in the shade, wearing a hat and protective clothing all year round, compared to 14 per cent among those outside of Europe.
“The public must also understand that they need to protect their skin all year round, even during overcast weather conditions,” said Prof Passeron.
“Once sunscreen has been applied, it must be reapplied every two hours to ensure sufficient protection. Other measures such as wearing sunglasses, a hat and protective clothing, and seeking shade when it is possible are also key photoprotection habits.”
According to latest estimates, 1.7 per cent of adults in Europe have skin cancer (about 7.3 million people). Ultraviolet sun exposure is also responsible for more than 80 per cent of visible photoaging signs, such as lines and wrinkles.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
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