Get the best from sunscreens

Sunscreens work best if they’re used properly. Use these guidelines this summer:

• Shake the bottle before using it;
• Rub it in well to ensure even coverage;
• When applying to your face, rub into your hands, then apply to your face;
• Wait ten minutes before having a swim, or it’ll just wash off;
• Reapply the sunscreen after swimming, drying off with a towel or sweating.

Warnings
Sunscreen is useful stuff. So take these basic steps to avoid trouble:

• Avoid contact with your eyes;
• Some preparations and creams can cause sun allergies or marks on the skin. These include oestrogen, tetracycline and sulpha antibiotics, anti-malaria and anti-fungal medication.
• Perfumed or flavoured suntan lotions, which smell of coconut oil or orange for instance, contain psoralen. This substance speeds up the ageing process in the skin. Rather use a fake-tan lotion.
• If you develop a rash or experience an outbreak of pimples after using sunscreen, discontinue its use and consult your doctor;
• If sunscreen is accidentally ingested, find a hospital or doctor immediately.