Doctor Warns: Childhood Sunburns Raise Cancer Risk, Last Year's Sunscreen Should Be Discarded

A Slovak dermatologist is urging the public to take sun protection seriously, warning that every sunburn suffered during childhood significantly increases the lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. The doctor emphasized that there is no such thing as a safe tan from a tanning bed, as UV radiation from solarium devices carries the same harmful effects as direct sunlight and contributes to long-term skin damage. Among the practical advice offered, the physician cautioned against using sunscreen products left over from previous summers, as these creams lose their protective effectiveness over time and may no longer provide the level of sun protection factor stated on the label. The warnings come as warmer months approach and outdoor sun exposure increases across Slovakia.