We should use suntan lotion correctly or risk skin damage. The northern hemisphere is suffering record-breaking heat. Japan has declared its heatwave a natural disaster. Doctors say people are only getting half the protection from the sun than they think. We should use lotion with the highest sun protection factor (SPF). Researchers say we need to use SPF 30 or 50 to make sure we are protected from the sun's harmful UV rays.
The doctors said we put too little suntan lotion on. A professor said we do not spread the lotion on at-risk areas of our skin. Most people get 40 per cent of the expected protection from SPF 50 lotion because they put too little on. We need at least six teaspoons to cover our body and over half a teaspoon for our face, neck and ears. Many people forget their ears. These are too often open to the sun and burn easily.