Healthcare | Sunday 5 June, 2016 7:03 pm |

Sun care brand Daylong has held an educational event at Saudi Airlines’ head office in Jeddah to train and inform their staff on the importance of appropriate sun care – both on-the-ground and in-the-air.

A recent study by the American National Cancer Institute showed those in the aviation industry are twice as likely to develop skin cancer as would be expected in the general population, Galderma - the medical solutions company of Nestlé Skin Health, which has just launched its Daylong sun care range in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia - approached Saudi Airlines to educate its staff on the dangers of over-exposure to UVA, UVB and IR radiation from the sun.

Despite being one of the world’s most sun-exposed nations, Saudi Arabia recently reported a remarkably low incidence of skin cancer. With certain professions still at dangerous risk to sun damage, the Daylong event in conjunction with Saudi Airlines aimed to promote the positive impact that prolonged sun care can have on skin health.

“Whilst skin cancer levels remain at an all-time low in Saudi Arabia, those working in the aviation industry have to take special care to ensure their skin is not over-exposed to harmful UVA, UVB and IR rays at high altitude or on-the-ground at the various tropical destinations these crews frequent,” said Antonio Ferreira, spokesperson for Daylong.

“Travelling to warmer climates, under-dosing sun care or simply ignoring dermatologists’ sun-protection advice has been identified in numerous studies as potential contributors to increased risk of skin cancer.”

Over 500 Saudi Airlines staff received advice and were given samples of the new Daylong range at the Jeddah event.

“Saudi Airlines staff were very responsive,” added Ferreira. “More than 300 were educated on the importance of sun care on the day, with a lot of visitors recommended to dermatologists for follow-up treatment.”

A Saudi Airlines pilot, said: “I’ve always applied plenty of high-factor sun protection when sunbathing, so I was really shocked to be told I am likely to have skin damage. The studies showing higher incidence rates among aviation crews were alarming and I’ve booked in for follow-up treatment. I’ll definitely build sun care into my daily skincare routine in future.”

Available at all Al Nahdi pharmacies across the Kingdom, the hypoallergenic Daylong range uses photostable UV filters to combat dangerous UVA, UVB and IR rays. The product range is scientifically formulated and dermatologically tested to offer wearers consistent and reliable sun protection.

The Daylong range includes 9 sun care products in four different categories; dry skin, oily skin, kids and an after sun line from SAR 97.