Overview
- On Sunday Dr Nora Jaafar posted an Instagram anecdote about a friend burnt despite using SPF 50 and urged people to check product labels before applying.
- Most sunscreen containers use a small open‑pot symbol that shows how many months the product remains effective from the day it is first opened.
- UV filters in sunscreen break down after the months shown on that symbol which can leave skin unprotected even when a product is applied.
- The doctor advised writing the date you open a bottle on the lid so you can discard it once the labelled months have passed.
- The NHS warns many people apply too little sunscreen and recommends about six to eight teaspoons (around 35ml) for full‑body coverage while Cancer Research UK says most melanoma cases could be prevented with proper sun safety.