Burning ambition

Nine million British holidaymakers get sunburned EVERY TIME they go abroad, it was revealed today (Sunday, 21st June).

The shocking statistic emerged in a study which showed that while one in two people fall victim on holiday to sun burn, more than one in ten get burned TWICE on the same break.

And the report also revealed women are three times more likely than men to end up with lobster skin with ladies from Birmingham the worst offenders.

Falling asleep in the sun was the main reason for having scorched skin while not wearing any suntan lotion also figured highly on the list.

Martin Crisp Superintendent Pharmacist for Superdrug, which polled 2,000 sun-seekers, said: ''This research clearly shows that the message to be safe in the sun is still not getting across to Brits heading off on holiday.

"More than half of all holidaymakers admit to being burnt at least once while away from home and it's staggering that more then ten per cent then don't learn their lesson and head back out into the sun for another session. Every person who gets a lobster face from the sun should really be blushing with shame.

"A burn from the sun can be more harmful than a burn from a hot pan or a fire; not only is there the immediate discomfort and pain, sun burn is known to lead to skin cancer which can be fatal.

"The research shows that 2.7 million days will be taken off work every year as sun burnt Brits have to hide away and nurse their sun burn."

The report found one in ten people have had to visit a doctor due to bad sunburn and a similar amount have taken a day off or been late for work due to sunburn.

Almost one in five said they did their best to get a tan during their lunch break but one in ten had returned to their desk having been burned.

Women from the Midlands were uncovered as far more careless when in the sun than people from other parts of the country.

It also emerged Tenerife is the worst hot spot for British holidaymakers with 11 per cent of those polled admitting they had returned from the island with sunburn.

Brighton was the worst place for sunburn in the list of UK resorts.

Worryingly, almost one in ten said a tan was the only reason they booked a sunshine break.

Martin Crisp continued: "Enjoying the sun whether at home or abroad doesn't have to mean a lobster face and ending up spending a day in bed. Simply cover up, avoid the midday sun and use plenty of sun cream. And if sun burn strikes visit one our team of Superdrug nurses or pharmacists and they can offer advice on how best to deal with a bad burn."

Today (22nd Monday) Superdrug launches its Feels Like Summer campaign to celebrate the holiday season. Every customer at Superdrug from today spending more than £5 will receive a Feels Like Summer scratchcard1 which guarantees one of 15 million treats.

For further information please contact Jenny Hill on 020 7896 3200 / 07971 117265 or email superdrug@z-pr.com

Notes to editor:

• 1. Summer Treats runs from 22nd June to 4th August. One treat per customer per day
• For full terms and conditions please visit www.superdrug.com/treat
• Treats are only available to residents in GB
• Some treats require customers to be over 18 or to have parental or adult supervision and / or consent prior to taking part
• Research conducted on behalf of Superdrug by OnePoll
• Superdrug is the United Kingdom's most fashion conscious beauty and health retailer with over 900 stores in the UK and Eire