Advice for safe tanning in Spain

Following the official start of summer, temperatures in Spain have soared this weekend up to 40º, breaking records in some areas of the country, such as the northern region of Galicia. The Spanish capital, Madrid, also saw some very hot weather, so much so that people have been photographed cooling themselves down by jumping in the city’s fountains!

These temperatures may be unbearable for those working in the city, but this scorching climate is what attracts so many visitors to Spain for a week or two to lie on its beautiful beaches and see the sights without worrying about what the weather might bring! We all know, however, that too much time in the sun can be dangerous – with my pasty skin I only have to be outside in this heat for 10 minutes without sun screen and I’m frazzled! Not only is sunburn painful, but it increases the risk of developing skin diseases such as skin cancer. So make sure on your Spanish holiday this year, you take plenty of care to protect yourself in the sun. Here are a few tips:

• Always wear sun screen when out in the sun, and remember to keep applying it regularly in order to not be caught out. For the intense sun that you’re likely to experience in summer in Spain, experts recommend at least SPF 30. Never use tanning oils.
• Wearing a hat is also a good idea to protect the most delicate skin on the face, as well as for preventing sun burn on the scalp and avoiding dehydration and heat exhaustion.
• Sunglasses are essential for protecting your eyes, and you must make sure they have the European standard of quality and protect from both UVA and UVB rays.
• Some days will be hotter that others but it is generally best to avoid being out in the sun when the rays are at their strongest, around midday/early afternoon. Why not use this time to enjoy some Spanish tapas in the shade?
• Drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated.

So be sensible by following these simple rules and you’re sure to have fun in the Spanish sun!