A charity has advised Brits to try using stronger sunscreen to reduce their chances of developing skin cancer, following a study which suggested caffeine could offer some protection against the disease.
Bevis Man of the British Heart Foundation explained that many people have a tendency to apply sunscreen unevenly, but said this could be offset by simply choosing a variety with a higher sun protection factor (SPF).
"There are a number of factors that you'll need to consider," he observed. "We'd recommend people choose a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher, as most people never apply sunscreen thick enough."
Mr Man also urged people to pay close attention to the relevant UVA score - which indicates ultraviolet protection relative to SPF - and specifically recommended choosing sunscreen rated four stars or higher.
His remarks followed research from Rutgers, which found caffeine could guard against the sun's rays when applied directly to the skin by inhibiting a protein enzyme.
© Adfero Ltd
Skin cancer treatment news : 19 August 2011
