These days, is there such thing as a healthy tan? If you follow the news probably not; and if you have been paying attention lately you may be struggling to find out exactly what the true picture is. As usual, media reports are so packed with conflicting information that it would be hard to decide whether it is possible to be safe in the sun or to avoid it completely. There is no doubt that a few decades of unbridled sun worship has led to an increase in skin cancer with over 62,000 known cases reported in 2002. The trouble is even when faced with these frightening figures, habits are hard to break. We associate a rosy glow with health and well-being and are stuck with the idea that we need to escape our 'lovely' English weather once or twice a year for some really hot sunny place. So we pack all those stronger rays into two weeks and take all sorts of risks to gain colour to show off when we get home. Meanwhile, we are being quite slow to appreciate that in England we are actually experiencing longer hotter summers than ever before and it is possible to burn quite easily if you don't cover up. Then there's the sun cream debate. Does it really protect you from the most powerful and harmful rays? That is the plan but a recent report suggests that a bottle marked SPF 15 might only be delivering a SPF of 10. Add this to another story about Britons using less sun cream than ever before and it doesn't look good. But even on that point the experts are divided and are not sure if people are actually disregarding advice on sun cream use or are generally covering up in other ways with clothing, hats and sunglasses. Finally there's the band of ultra cautious people opting for total sunblock. They slap it on and take no chances with sun exposure, only to be told by a skin specialist that complete obliteration of the sun is depriving the skin of its supply of Vitamin D without which you are susceptible to - guess what? Yes, cancer. Does that mean the sun is actually good for you? Well yes it is. There is no doubt that exposure to the sun in the context of the seaside with its fresh air and bracing waters can be health giving. Some people need a dose of sunshine to keep up their spirits to avoid seasonal disaffective disorder (SAD). Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin and as well as protecting against disease, it is vital for building strong bones. Skin-wise excessive tanning does age the skin making tougher, more wrinkly and prone to blemishes, but UV treatment can be used in a therapeutic way for sufferers of the skin condition, psoriasis. So sun is both good and bad and a doctor's advice would be: * Get some sun but don't bake in it. If you want a tan, do it slowly or just cheat with a bottle of self-tan. * Very pale people must almost resign themselves to using high SPF factors and accessorising with T-shirts, sarongs, stylish floppy hats and wraparound sunglasses. * Don't be a mad dog or Englishman and avoid high sun which in England is between 12 noon and 2pm, 11am-3pm in the Med, extending to 10am-4pm in the Tropics. If in doubt, avoid the lobster effect by taking the advice of locals. * The effects of the sun are magnified by the wind, when reflecting off a body of water or the snow, it can even penetrate the car windows. Be prepared. * Think about your extremities and apply sunblock carefully to exposed noses, lips, backs of necks, tops of feet, ears and scalps to avoid painful spots of sunburn. * Get to know your moles. If you notice any changes in size, texture or colour, show your GP immediately. For a quick and convenient way to sort out vaccinations and all your travel needs, call in at the Newhall Medical Practice, the private GP surgery which serves Birmingham city centre. It offers a traditional GP service with same day appointments. Call now on 0121 236 6633. | 
