A significant number of British holidaymakers have their holidays ruined as a result of sunburn, a new study reveals.
Cancer Research UK's survey revealed that 37 per cent of women and a quarter of men said they have felt unattractive on their holidays, with many unable to wear the clothes of choice because of the severity of their burns.
Nearly half said they were unable to lie on their backs due to the pain caused by the sunburn.
Alarmingly 31 per cent of British holidaymakers have had to miss a day on the beach due to sunburn, 15 per cent have had to miss out on a night out and 40 out of the 2,000 people surveyed said they had been forced to miss their flight home because they were burnt.
"Sunburn can seriously increase your risk of skin cancer, which is why it is so important to be careful in the sun and take care not to burn," said Rebecca Russell, campaign manager at Cancer Research UK's SunSmart.
"Exposure to the sun on summer holidays can be particularly dangerous as it often takes place in intense and infrequent bursts. Studies have shown that this type of sun exposure greatly increases your risk of melanoma."
Holidaymakers are advised to follow SunSmart's key messages, which include ensuring you stay in the shade between 11:00 and 15:00, make sure you never burn and use factor 15+ sunscreen.
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