With summer well under way, it is more important than ever to understand the importance of sun safety. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. As a vital part of everyone's sun protection regime we should all know which sunscreen is right for us. Here is some information from the NSW Cancer Council to help you make the right decision.
How does sunscreen work?
Sunscreen works by filtering (not blocking) UV radiation with a chemical barrier that absorbs and/or reflects the UV rays away from your skin. No sunscreen product provides 100% protection against UV radiation. Some UV radiation will always reach the skin causing damage to the cells below. This damage will build up over time and can increase the risk of skin cancer.
What does "broad-spectrum" mean?
UV radiation comes in different wavelengths called UVA and UVB. Both UVA and UVB contribute to sunburn, skin ageing, eye damage, melanoma and other skin cancers. Sunscreens that are labeled "broad-spectrum" filter out some of the UVA as well as UVB radiation.
What do the SPF numbers mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The SPF protects against UVB radiation. A sunscreen is given an SPF number (of between 4 and 30+) after strict labroratory testing. The testing compares the length of time it takes for patches of skin with sunscreen to show redness with the time it takes to produce the same amount of skin redness without sunscreen. The higher the SPF number, the more protection a sunscreen provides.
How should sunscreen be applied?
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying sunscreen. To be effective, sunscreen must be applied generously, rubbed in lightly and used with other forms of sun protection, such as protective clothing, finding shade when you are outdoors and staying out of the sun when UV radiation is highest (10am-2pm or 11am-3pm during daylight saving).
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going in the sun, to allow it to bind to your skin for maximum effectiveness. It should then be reapplied every two hours in case it has been wiped or washed off during activity. Reapplying regularly also means you are more likely to cover any parts of the skin you may have missed.
Can you get sunburnt when using sunscreen?
Yes, you can still get sunburnt when using sunscreen by:
- Spending time in the sun during peak UV times, or when the UV index is 3 (moderate) or above. You can find the SunSmart UV Alert on the weather page of most daily newspapers or go to www.cancercouncil.com.au/sunsmart
- Not using other sun protection measures such as seeking shade and wearing clothing and hats.
- Not reapplying sunscreen every two hours or when it has been washed or wiped off.
- Using insufficient sunscreen.
- Using sunscreen that is past its use-by date.