Despite the risks, over 70% believe suntans are healthy

By Alice Clifford via SWNS

Many people still believe suntans are healthy - despite warnings about skin cancer and aging, reveals a new study.

Researchers found that, across Europe, many people have positive responses about suntans.

Eight in 10 people said that tans are "attractive."

What is worrying is that 73 percent of Europeans believed that having a tan is healthy, despite sun exposure having been linked to skin cancer and aging for decades.

Most people (92 percent) were aware of the risks but 84 percent admitted they still didn't protect themselves all year round.

According to the latest estimates, around 1.7 percent of adults in Europe have skin cancer. This is around 7.3 million people across the continent.

The first sign of skin cancer normally is a discolored area or lump on the skin that can grow over time.

Ultraviolet light from the sun is also responsible for more than 80 percent of skin aging. It can cause lines, wrinkles and blemishes.

The survey, presented at the 31st European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV), revealed that only 56 percent knew that sun protection was needed in cloudy weather and one in four thought it was safe to go outside without sun protection when they were already tanned.

In total, only ten percent of Europeans said they regularly used sun protection all year round.

Professor Thierry Passeron, the chair of dermatology at the University Hospital of Nice, said: “The public must also understand that they need to protect their skin all year round, even during overcast weather conditions."

People in non-European countries, such as North and South America, Africa, Oceania and Asia, were less enthusiastic about suntans, but still, 59 percent believed that having a tan was healthy.

Professor Passeron said: “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 researchers surveyed 17,000 people from 17 countries with 6,000 of them from the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Russia.

Protecting yourself from the sun is easy and cheap. Chucking on a hat or whacking on some factor 50 can make a big difference.

Professor Passeron added: "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."