Healthy Skin Starts with Protection and Knowledge
Professor von Stebut emphasizes that sun protection is essential at every age. Both UVA and UVB radiation can cause long-term damage to skin cells and increase the risk of skin cancer. Consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, together with responsible sun exposure, remains one of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer.
The interview also addresses other environmental factors, including air pollution and tobacco smoke, that can negatively affect skin health. In addition, Prof. von Stebut dispels common skincare myths, highlighting that healthy skin does not require a complex routine—gentle cleansing, daily sun protection, and a simple moisturizer are often all that is needed.
Do you already know the UV protection project DIE SONNE UND WIR?
UV protection is also the focus of DIE SONNE UND WIR, a skin cancer prevention initiative of the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC, University of Cologne) and the Department of Dermatology at University Hospital Cologne, managed by Dr. Debora Grosskopf-Kroiher. The project promotes age-appropriate education on responsible sun exposure and serves as a primary prevention program aimed at reducing the risk of skin cancer later in life.
The initiative develops, tests, and continuously refines educational materials while also creating evaluation strategies to assess their effectiveness. In addition, the project regularly conducts outreach activities in schools and other educational settings to raise awareness of sun safety among children and adolescents.
A key strength of DIE SONNE UND WIR is the close integration of concept development and practical implementation, made possible through the collaboration of students, researchers, educators, teachers, and schoolchildren.
The project was initially funded by the RheinEnergie Foundation for Youth, Careers, and Science from 2012 to 2014. Since 2015, it has been supported by German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe) as part of the nationwide initiative CLEVER IN SONNE UND SCHATTEN, a joint program of the Association for Dermatological Prevention (ADP) e.V., the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, and German Cancer Aid. The initiative aims to bring practical knowledge and everyday strategies for sun safety and skin cancer prevention into the daily lives of children and adolescents.
Learn more about DIE SONNE UND WIR here (German version).
This message has been translated and modified by the CMMC (K. Heber & D. Grosskopf-Kroiher) and is based on the text by the press and communications teams of the University Hospital Cologne (original German version here).