Helpful tips on staying sun safe and preventing against the damaging effects of the sun’s rays.
IPU 10 July 2025: As the good weather and high temperatures continue this week, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) is urging people to enjoy the good weather while being safe in the sun.
As temperatures in Ireland are expected to reach as high as 29°C (degree Celsius), pharmacists are advising the public to become aware of how to stay safe in the sun. For parents, it is important to be sun smart and protect their children’s skin when they are outside enjoying the fine weather, as children’s skin is very sensitive to the sun’s rays.
Susan O’ Dwyer, the IPU’s Head of Professional Services said, “It is important that the public knows how to enjoy the sun safely following common sense precautions, especially during good weather. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland and the number of people being diagnosed with skin cancer is rising rapidly. Yet skin cancer is largely preventable by protecting skin from UV rays and not using sunbeds.
“Our message is that we want to help you to protect yourself and your family by being #SunSmart.
Ms O’ Dwyer advised following the SunSmart code to enjoy the sun safely:
- Slip on clothing: No sunscreen can provide 100% protection; it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing. Cover skin as much as possible, wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts and clothes made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through.
- Slop on sun cream: There is no such thing as a safe suntan. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun damages skin cells, speeds up the visible signs of skin ageing and can increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Make sun protection part of your daily routine, from April to September, even when it is cloudy. Apply sun cream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA and UVB protection and that is water-resistant. Apply liberally 20 minutes before going outdoors, making sure to cover those areas often forgotten, your neck, ears, nose, and feet. Reapply at least every two hours, or more often after swimming, towel drying or sweating.
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat: make sure to protect your face, ears and neck.
- Seek shade: Sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight. In Ireland during the summer, the sun will be strongest from 11 until 3. Try to avoid spending too long outdoors during this time.
- Slide on sunglasses: Guard your eyes against harm by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
In addition, do not forget to stay hydrated, do not deliberately try to get a tan and avoid getting sunburnt. Take extra precautions if you are an outdoor worker. For example, working outdoors is an everyday part of farming life which means farmers can be exposed to 2 to 3 times more UV rays from the sun compared with people who work indoors, putting them at a higher risk of skin cancer. Farmers should pay particular attention to areas of your skin which are exposed to sunlight whatever the weather, by using a wide brimmed hat and sunscreen to protect your ears, face and neck.
In conclusion Ms O’ Dwyer said, “Skin damage does not just happen on holiday in hot, sunny places. The sun is strong enough to cause damage here in Ireland between April and September, even on cloudy days, so remember to be SunSmart. For advice on how to protect yourself throughout the summer, including advice on appropriate sun protection, speak to your local community pharmacist.”
ENDS
