Don't risk wrinkes, or worse, this summer

We love a bit of fun in the sun. And last Bank Holiday was no exception. Parks were packed with picnickers, and beaches saw thousands of families pack their buckets and spades for a quintessential day out at the seaside. And why not? Who knows when the sun will make an appearance again, and on a Bank Holiday to boot? For one weekend, sunbeds were deserted in place of the real thing. And it was lovely.

With a recent survey revealing two thirds of people in their twenties think a tan is more attractive than Snow White skin, it's no wonder we jump at the chance of a bronzed bod at the first sign of sunshine. But there's a problem. Half us Brits think our skin colour is darker than it actually is. And while believing we're more bronzed than we actually are might not seem like a problem, it can cause damage when we decide to slip on a bikini and catch some rays.

But the problem is far more serious than looking like a perma-tanned Fanta fan. Believing your skin to be darker than it is exposes people to a serious risk of developing skin cancer - why use the correct SPF if you think you don't need it? In fact, when it comes to SPF, it seems almost two thirds of us don't really know what it's for, with only 38% knowing SPF is what predominantly protects against sunburn.Worrying, isn't it.

So, not only do we think we're darker than we actually are and lack crucial knowledge about SPF/UVA protection, there are also a few sun myths that put people at risk. For example, three times more men than women incorrectly believe a base tan will protect against sun burn and sun damage. It won't. A base tan only provides very minimal protection and is actually a sign of UV damage.

These stats have been released to launch the 2013 Be Sun Aware Mole and Sun Advice Roadshow which will be available to dish out advice and check troubling spots at the IoW Festival from 13th - 16th June, Latitude Festival from 18th - 21st July and Boardmasters Festival 7th - 11th August.

So before you pack the sunnies and SPF, make sure you're sun aware. The last thing you want is wrinkles, or worse.

Laura is the editor of six out of ten. She has a background in journalism and PR, and loves nothing more than writing. Well. Maybe she loves Eddie Vedder a bit more (a lot more). She lives with her boy and her boycat in a house in Essex. Her favourite things are red lip stains (lipsticks never last), sweet cocktails and fresh, new notebooks.