· Health
In the Canaries, sun protection isn't a summer thing
People arriving from northern Europe bring a rule they learned there: sunscreen in summer, the rest of the year doesn't matter. That rule doesn't hold in the Canaries. Radiation here is high for most of the year, and a January day on the beach does the same as one in August.
The cloudy day fools you
Cloud takes away the heat, not the radiation. That's why the burns people remember best usually come from a cool, breezy day, when nobody noticed anything until the evening. On the coast, water and sand reflect as well, so a parasol helps but doesn't solve it.
It isn't only about the burn
A burn is gone in a few days. What doesn't go is the cumulative effect: premature skin ageing and, in the long run, a higher risk of skin problems. Sunscreen isn't cosmetics, it's prevention — like a check-up.
The check-up almost nobody has in the diary
A regular dermatology check exists to catch a mole that has changed, early. It's a short appointment and most of the time there's nothing. The value lies precisely in the few cases where there is something. If you have health cover, find out whether it's included before you pay for it privately.
What your policy covers here
We can't generalise on this one: what counts as dermatology depends on the type of cover you took out, and with health cover also on the medical questionnaire you filled in at the time. Give us your policy number and we'll tell you what yours includes before you book. It's the kind of question we answer on the spot.
What this means for you
- In the Canaries, use sunscreen outside summer too, and on cloudy days.
- Reapply after swimming and every few hours — once in the morning isn't enough.
- Watch moles that change shape, size or colour, and don't wait for the next check-up.
- Ask us whether your health policy covers a dermatology check: the types of cover differ.
- If it is covered, book it yourself — you don't need to come to the office for that.
Source: Allianz España · Blog Consejos (öffnet in einem neuen Fenster) · 23 September 2026
Information without obligation. The policy and the Allianz information sheets are binding.