Skin campaign targets gardeners

This summer, LEO Pharma and Otter Nurseries have teamed up to bring the Know Your Skin™ campaign to Devon to raise awareness of solar keratosis among gardeners. Solar keratosis (also known as SK) is defined as rough or scaly skin patches that develop where unprotected skin has been exposed to sun over time. SK can lead to non-melanoma skin cancer in a small number of cases.

On Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August 2014, Otter Nurseries in Ottery St Mary will play host to the Know Your Skin campaign where visitors will be able to learn how to check their skin for sun damage and obtain practical sun protection tips.

Visitors will be able to step inside the ultraviolet (UV) imaging photo booth where they can have a photograph taken and receive a free print-out of the UV image to take away showing the effects that prolonged sun exposure can have on their face by showing areas of increased melanin production.

Know Your Skin™ campaign supporter Dr Tony Downs, Consultant Dermatologist from the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, said: “Solar keratosis is more likely to affect people who have hobbies involving prolonged sun exposure, such as gardening. The Know Your Skin campaign advises people on how to spot the signs of sun damage and also how to prevent it, so we hope that by being at Otter Nurseries, we’re encouraging gardeners in Devon to dedicate more time to truly knowing their skin.”

Charlotte Fionda, from the charity Skcin said: “It is vital people know how to protect and look after their skin in the summer months but also the importance of doing monthly skin checks not just by looking at their skin, but by feeling it too. We want people to understand that skin checks are about more than just moles and knowing how to check for any sign of sun damage is important.”

You an follow the campaign on Twitter @SkinCheck #KnowYourSkin.