May marks Melanoma Awareness Month, and with the days starting to get sunnier there's no better time to get into a proper sun safe skin routine.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland, with around 13,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Dermatologist Dr Rosemary Coleman joined Today with Claire Byrne to share her advice on how to keep your skin safe in the sun.

Coleman explained that despite getting relatively little sunlight in Ireland, some are especially vulnerable to the sun's rays due to our fair hair and skin. "We really can't tolerate the sun at all without getting genetic mutations and damage to our DNA."

"We actually get more sun than people realise", she added. "Even today, which is actually very cloudy, there's a lot of UVA out there coming through the clouds damaging our skin."

Because of this assumption, many of us aren't properly protecting our skin from the sun. "The best protection would be to avoid maximum radiation times, i.e., in Ireland, between about 11am and 3pm. For example, if you're an at-risk person or if you've had skin cancer or melanoma, you might choose to do your outdoor sports before 11am and after 3pm in particular."

Covering up is also a handy way to protect our skin, as well as being in the shade. "Although don't forget, the sun reflects. The rays reflect off the ground, off sand, off water at different percentages." Because of this, sun protection, even in the shade, is necessary.

Broad-brimmed hats will protect the head and the back of the neck, while wrap-around glasses with UVA and UVB protection, will shield the eyes and reduce cataracts.

SPF is the final step in protecting yourself in the sun, Coleman said. "We mustn't just rely on slapping on a bit of cream and going out for a walk or going out for the whole day and getting burnt."

As well as sun protection, being diligent with checking for changes in moles and spots on our body is crucial, but what should we be looking for?

"To be very broad, any change at all", Coleman said. "If something catches your eye and you're just not sure, get it checked out would be the rule."

Coleman also suggested the ABCDEF rule when checking something. Asymmetry, irregular borders, more than three colours in the spot, a diametre larger than a shirt button, an evolving appearance a funny-looking spot and can all suggest change.

"Most people will have all of their moles looking like brothers and sisters from one family", Coleman explained. "And when one sticks out by looking different it's called the 'ugly duckling' sign, it's not like the rest."

"If you have anything on your skin that is new or that is changing for four to six weeks, get it checked out, and help yourself by taking a photograph of it so you can look at it again in a couple of weeks' time."

For more tips, listen back to the full interview above.

For more information on staying safe in the sun, read the HSE's skin cancer prevention guidelines here.