Turn the lights out, and you’d see me glow.
That’s certainly not what I’d expect from a technique with a name that could have sprung straight from an Audi advertisement. “Autogenics” lacks a certain sexiness, but I’m told it’s very efficient. Other danger areas are the sections of skin that often get forgotten about when sun cream is being applied, such as the back of the neck and ears – a very common seat of skin cancer, according to Dr Morton.Anyone, especially people below 21 years old, who plan on basking in the sun this summer could do a lot worse than arm these tips, and a very good tub of sun screen.A FEW BRIGHT WAYS TO STAY SAFE THIS SUMMER* Try never to get burnt – it hurts and could prove very costly in the long run* Always use factor 15+ sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection (often described as “broad spectrum protection”) and ensure it’s not past its sell-by-date* Put cream on 15-30 minutes before you go out in the sun, so your skin can absorb it. How can one distinguish between an innocent mole and a potentially lethal melanoma? “The one good thing about skin cancer is that you can see it developing,” she says “Keep a constant check on your moles. If you pick up a malignant melanoma early, it’s pretty curable.

The prognosis is determined by how early it’s detected, so if an existing mole is growing or changing shape over a period of weeks or months, or a new mole is growing, report it immediately to your doctor.”The areas where moles sprout differ between the sexes. For women, the most common site is their legs, but for me and my sun-loving friends it’s the back. So you need a high factor, and at least four stars,” he advises.You must also apply sufficient cream – Dr Morton recommends a walnut-sized blob for each body part. And it must be reapplied frequently – every two hours and each time you go swimming, even if it’s water-resistant.

Also remember that most sun creams don’t completely block ultraviolet rays. If you’re a burning type you must use a factor 30 at least,” he says.Also key is using a cream with “broad spectrum protection” against both UVA and UVB rays: “The factor number simply relates to UVB protection. You must also look at the star rating on the back, which indicates how much protection a cream offers against UVA. So after 70 minutes, even with factor 15 on, you will have received a burning dose – and slapping another layer on after that time won’t do any good at all.My head spinning with information, I asked Di Swanston what danger signs to look out for after my years of foolhardy behaviour on the beach. With factor 15, seven per cent of the ultraviolet rays still get through. Exposure to UVA causes ageing and doesn’t cause sunburn, making it hard to tell when skin is being damaged. Yet, new research from Australia suggests that UVA increases the risk of malignant melanoma, as it causes damage at a deeper level, which may take longer to manifest itself.

The onset of this voracious form of cancer is probably due to a few bouts of sunburn 20 years before – exactly when my friends and I were basking in the Med.If, despite all the warnings, you’re still determined to get a tan and can’t resist baking in the hot sun, how can you ward off dangerous UV rays? Dr Morton stresses that, especially if you have fair skin, you must use a sun cream with a high SPF, or sun protection factor: “The most important thing is to know how your skin behaves. UVA rays penetrate more deeply, but don’t burn you in the short term – so broadly speaking B is for burning and A is for ageing.”Exposure to UVB light increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – the commonest forms of non-melanoma skin cancer. Dr Ossie Morton is Tesco’s clinical dermatologist, and an expert on the causes of, and best ways to ward off, skin cancer. He explains which components of sunlight cause harm and why: “Ultraviolet rays do the damage,” he says. “UVB rays are the shorter wavelengths, which don’t penetrate deeply into the skin, but do cause a lot of damage.