Unprotected or inadequately protected exposure to the sun causes damage that accumulates on the skin every day and can lead to serious diseases such as skin cancer. This, together with the increase in other minor conditions, such as solar urticaria a.k.a. sun allergy, makes prevention a fundamental part of our advice for a healthy summer.

We must engage in habits and behaviours that prevent excessive exposure to solar radiation not only on beaches, swimming pools and in the mountains, but when practising physical or sporting activities outdoors.

The population with the greatest risk of harmful effects in the event of solar exposure is that which presents one or more of these characteristics:

• Very light skin (that burns easily and almost never gets tanned). These are mainly blond or redheaded people.
• A family history of skin cancer.
• A history of frequent sun exposure early in life.
• Unusual moles or a large number of moles.
• Freckled people.