The right sun protection factor is crucial
The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection recommends a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 for everyday use, but if you are in the mountains, on snow, by the water or in particularly sunny regions, you should use SPF 50+. This is generally recommended for children and particularly UV-sensitive people. It is also important that the sun cream also protects against UV-A radiation. This longer-wave UV component penetrates deeper into the skin and causes long-term damage such as skin ageing.
Reapplying does not extend the protection time
In order to achieve the specified protective effect of sun products, the cream should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Two milligrams per square centimeter of skin is recommended.For an adult, this is four heaped tablespoons for the whole body. A standard 200 milliliter bottle should be used up after five applications. The cream should be reapplied every two to three hours. However, reapplying does not extend the protection time, but only maintains it. Even waterproof sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming, as the product is lost through waves and abrasion when it dries. Textile sun protection, shade, sun hats, sunglasses, avoiding the midday sun and a parasol can provide additional protection.
In Germany, more than 270,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year
The incidence of skin cancer continues to rise due to climate change and the associated increase in the number of days with higher levels of carcinogenic UV radiation. In Germany, more than 270,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year (as of 2023). Of these, around 27,500 people are diagnosed with malignant melanoma, also known as black skin cancer. Around 243,000 people were diagnosed with white (light) skin cancer.
Skin cancer screening and self-examination as important preventive measures
Too few people in Baden-Württemberg go for skin cancer screening: over the past 20 years or so, the number of hospital treatments and deaths associated with skin cancer has almost doubled, according to the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) health insurance company. People with statutory health insurance in Germany aged 35 and over can take part in skin cancer screening every two years free of charge. Unfortunately, young people are also increasingly affected by
affected by skin cancer. Some health insurance companies therefore cover the costs of skin cancer screening from the age of 15. Skin cancer screening should also be considered at a young age, particularly in the case of hereditary predisposition or very light skin types. The public health department also recommends monthly self-examinations - more than half of all skin cancer cases are discovered by those affected themselves.
Recognizing the first signs of skin cancer or suspicious moles
Even at an early stage, melanoma (black skin cancer) can be detected by certain changes or abnormalities in a pigment spot. The ABCDE rule is particularly helpful:
- Asymmetry: A mole is unevenly shaped and not round or oval.
- Border: The border of a pigmented mole is irregular or blurred.
- Color: A mole has several shades of color - from brownish to reddish, bluish, grayish or blackish.
- Diameter: Pigment spots that have grown suddenly or are larger than 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter are considered suspicious.
- Elevation: The pigment mark protrudes more than one millimeter above the surface of the skin. Itching and bleeding are also warning signs.
Early signs of white skin cancer can vary greatly. In the early stages, a basal cell carcinoma may appear on the skin in the form of a nodule. The nodule appears glassy, whitish or reddish. It may have fine blood vessels and be sunken in the center. Often there are also crusty areas of skin that do not heal and wounds that repeatedly fester.
Special precautions applyto children
Children's skin is particularly sensitive - its own protection time is only about ten minutes. Therefore: no blazing sun for babies, no sun cream in the first year of life, textile sun protection, for example a hat with neck protection, suitable sunscreen with SPF 50, avoid the midday sun and apply sun cream at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Small children should also wear sunglasses as they still have a transparent eye lens.
Events organized by the district administration office on skin cancer prevention
An information event for single parents on the topic of sun protection and skin cancer prevention will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 4 to 6 p.m., at the Ludwigsburg district hall. In this seminar, Carola Benkert and Filiz Ugur from the health department of the Ludwigsburg district office will briefly discuss the different types of skin cancer and explain the important warning signs. They will also discuss the special features of sun protection for children and give recommendations for appropriate exposure to the sun.
The health department's outdoor swimming pool event in Ludwigsburg-Hoheneck on the topic of sun protection is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in the morning - in the event of bad weather, an alternative date of August 10, 2026 is planned.
