EDITORIAL: Sunburn sympathy

Editorial & Letters|Wednesday, Jan 25 2012 | Free article|Subscribe for full access

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By Emma Walter, News Editor

As I write this, I am wincing in my chair and complaining loudly about my sunburnt legs.

A vibrant shade of pink, I almost resemble a lobster, and I’m probably walking like one too.

Am I fishing for pity? Well yes, a little bit.

Do I deserve pity? No, It’s my own fault.

We’re bombarded with the ‘sun smart’ message – wear a hat, sunglasses, long sleeved shirt and sunscreen or pay the consequences.

In schools a ‘no hat, no play’ policy has been enforced for at least 15 years.

So as much as I feel for fellow sunburn sufferers, we are not deserving of sympathy.

We know the risks and yet we haven’t been diligent enough.

‘I forgot to reapply sunscreen’ or ‘I left my hat at home’ have become weak excuses.

Especially when that nasty sunburn you had only last summer could turn cancerous.

Don’t let it get to the stage where a melanoma scare is the only thing that will make you think twice.