It’s not just the eyes that need protecting from harmful UVR

18th April 2019

A new study undertaken by Aintree University Hospital Trust has highlighted the fact that people very rarely apply sunscreen to their eyelids and the area around the eyelashes and between the eyelids and the nose. Yet it this part of the face that’s the most vulnerable to skin cancer because the skin is thin. Study author and consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon Austin McCormick said that eyelid cancers accounted for 10% of all basal cell carcinomas in the UK, the most common type of skin cancer, so people should pay particular attention to the eyelid area when putting on any SPF cream.

Commenting on the research, Holly Barber, from the British Association of Dermatologists, believed that people were naturally hesitant to apply sunscreen around the eyes – because it can make them sting; “A good way to avoid problems such as sunburn in areas missed when applying sun protection is to make use of protective clothing such as sun hats and sunglasses, as well as reapplying sunscreen regularly” she said.