Childhood Sunburn Can Double Melanoma Risk as 59% of UK Children Have Burned

3 articles · Updated · The Star Online · Aug 11

59% of children in a 2024 British study had been sunburned at least once, despite evidence that childhood burns can leave irreversible skin damage.
Experts say sunburn in childhood or adolescence can double later melanoma risk, while five or more bad burns before age 20 raise that risk by 80%.
UV radiation damages skin-cell DNA long before redness fades, and specialists say that cumulative damage can also drive premature ageing, with up to 80% of visible skin ageing linked to UV exposure.
The British Association of Dermatologists says about a quarter of lifetime UV skin damage occurs before age 20, underscoring advice for SPF30-plus sunscreen, shade, protective clothing and two-hour reapplication.
Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight rather than covered with sunscreen, while older children and teenagers still need reminders because tanning and darker skin do not mean no damage.