The deadly spot everyone misses when applying sunscreen
Scientists have pinpointed the eyelids are the most neglected area when putting on sunscreen.
Research presented by the University of Liverpool at the British Association of Dermatologists' Annual Conference in the UK identified the deadly mistake, stating that, "More than 90 per cent of basal cell carcinomas, the most common cancer in the UK, occur on the head or neck, and between 5 and 10 per cent of all skin cancers occur on the eyelids specifically."
Skin cancer can occur on any part of the face but it’s most common in areas that get more sunlight, like the face.
The researchers asked participants to apply sunscreen to their faces as they normally would. No particular instructions were given. Ultraviolet light was then used to identify which parts of the face were well covered with the lotion, and the parts that were not.
A photo from the experimenet that shows the eyelids have been missed when applying sunscreen. Image credit: University of Liverpool
"On average people missed 9.5 per cent of the whole face, with the most commonly missed areas being the eyelids, where on average 13.5 per cent of the eyelid was missed,” the researchers note.
Another area of concern is "...the area between the inner corner of the eye and the bridge of the nose which was missed by 77 per cent of participants."
Considering all sunscreen bottles come with warnings to avoid the eye area, researchers want to spread the word that, in fact, you should be applying sunscreen to all areas of your face, paying special attention to the eye area without getting it in the eye. Wearing sunglasses would also help protect the area around your eyes as well as the eyes themselves.