Warning after sports commentator, 22, shares worrying holiday photo
Grace Hayden, the daughter of an Aussie cricketer, is currently overseas – but fans have spotted a worrying detail in her Euro snaps.
Health
Don't miss out on the headlines from Health. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Experts have issues a warning over the dangers of sun tanning after fans of a popular Australian sports commentator spotted a worrying detail in the 22-year-old’s holiday snaps.
Grace Hayden, the daughter of Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden, is currently on a European getaway with her boyfriend Wilson Statham.
But after she posted a string of photos from a recent visit to the island of Sicily on the Italian coast, many of her 255,000 followers spotted that Hayden was suffering with what appeared to be a serious case of sunburn.
In one image, Hayden can be seen staring into the camera while wearing a low-cut top, exposing what looks like sore, red skin on her chest and arms.
While in another, the young cricket expert can be seen posing alongside her boyfriend in a lacy white top and skirt, with her seemingly sore red skin on full display.
“Beautiful pictures Grace, ️you look a little bit more red than usual, a tad sunburnt?” one asked.
“Geez Grace, slip, slop, slap,” snarked another.
As another simply wrote: “Sunscreen.”
“You need to be careful,” someone else said.
Sunburn is an acute skin inflammation following overexposure to UV radiation, according to Cancer Council Australia.
Symptoms include redness, warmth, accumulation of fluid, and the affected area being tender to the touch. Severe signs of sunburn include pain and blistering while whole body sunburn may result in systemic symptoms such as headaches and nausea.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and having a history of sunburn is associated with increased melanoma risk.
The alarming photos have gained the attention of skin experts, including Australian actor Maddison Brown who launched an SPF-focused brand called Outside Beauty & Skincare with her sister Allyson Popovic in January 2023.
“Sunburn is something that, just like Grace’s holiday photos show, can easily happen even when unintended – and it can have dire consequences,” she told news.com.au.
“Statistics show cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and having a history of sunburn is associated with increased melanoma risk.”
Ms Brown added that with the spike in recent tanning trends, such as sunbakers “rawdogging” by not wearing sun protection, it could encourage bad skin safety habits.
“Sun safety messaging seems to be a bit diluted at the moment with tanning culture exploding again, but in reality, permanent DNA damage from sunburn is a really serious health risk,” she continued.
“Data shows that just five sunburns in your lifespan can double your risk of melanoma, so avoiding sun where possible is incredibly important.”
Ms Brown, a passionate advocate for sun safety after losing a close family friend to an undetected melanoma when he was just 32, said there are several ways to improve sun safety when on holiday and in every day life.
“My sister and I started Outside Beauty & Skincare to share our passion for sun safety education and unique formulas that challenge the way we use sunscreen,” she said.
“We are devoted users of sunscreen and always say, ‘the best sunscreen is the one you wear’.”
Cancer Council also recommends Aussies wear clothing that covers your skin when outside as well as wear a hat to protect the face, ears and neck.
Originally published as Warning after sports commentator, 22, shares worrying holiday photo