Sunbathing warning: How to protect yourself when suntanning naked – skin cancer risks

Almost a third of Britons dare-to-bare and reveal they prefer to wear no clothes while on holiday. With naturist beaches fast becoming the new travel hotspots, getting that all over tan is more popular than ever before. This trend looks set to continue with 27 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds choosing to one day getting their kit off, saying they are up for it in the future. When it comes to sunbathing ‘au natural’ 31 per cent prefer tanning naked. However burning one’s bits is the reality for most so how can you protect yourself when tanning in the nude?

Research from Hotels.com and the British Skincare Foundation looked at Britons attitudes to sunbathing in the buff. It found that half of those surveyed over 55, admit they don’t always use sun protection when exposing those sensitive areas to the sun.

Almost two thirds admit they don’t always use sun protection, 41 per cent claim to find it’s easy to forget and shockingly, 7 per cent never wear sun cream at all.

What’s more, almost two fifths of 18 to 24 year olds are not aware that it’s even possible to get sunburnt down under, with many finding out the hard way.

When it comes to burning their private parts, six per cent admitted experiencing the pain, 14 per cent have caught the sun while sunbathing topless and one in five have come back from the beach with a burnt bottom.

To make sure your privates are properly protected during the summer holidays, Hotels.com has teamed up with Love Island’s Doctor Alex George to remind everyone trying to get that all over tan this summer that they should be laying it on thick.

Doctor George said: “Your skin is incredibly delicate, and it is easy to damage in the sun unless you take the right precautions.

“I learnt the hard way in the Love Island villa, however, this is particularly true of skin that is not often exposed to sunlight.

“I personally can’t think of anything worse than burning your bits, so make sure you slap on the factor 50 this summer.”

Doctor Rachel Abbott, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson echoes Alex’s advice and added: “While it is not yet known whether naturists are at increased risk of skin cancer in places less often exposed to the sun, it is certainly possible to sun damage the skin on these sensitive areas which we know has the potential to lead to skin cancer in later life.”

As ever, it is advised that those stripping off, particularly those who go red before they tan, take the usual sun protection measures when the UV index is three or above

Doctor Rachel Abbott, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson

“As ever, it is advised that those stripping off, particularly those who go red before they tan, take the usual sun protection measures when the UV index is three or above.

You should seek shade between 11am – 3pm, wear a broad brimmed hat, sunglasses, and apply high factor sun protection, broad spectrum sunscreen on any skin that is exposed to the sun.”

Nude tanning is a liberating way to get that all over bronzed look.

However, given the fact that tanning itself is not always entirely safe practice, the concept of tanning nude comes with it’s own risks.

Following the correct precautions by using a high SPF and staying out of the sun during peak times will ensure your nude tanning will be painless.

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