There are five easy ways to protect your skin from sun damage.
Remember to:
Sunscreen is an important part of sun protection and is widely used in Australia. However, sunscreen should not be used as your only form of sun protection or as a way of extending the time you spend in the sun.
As a pharmaceutical product, sunscreens in Australia are subject to regulation and therefore they must comply with certain standards. The ability of a sunscreen to protect skin from burning is measured using the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and in Australia, these range from 4 to 30+. The higher this rating, the higher the protection, however the SPF should only be used as a guide. How long you take to burn will depend on your skin type and the UV Index at the time. In a lab, an SPF30 sunscreen will fi lter out 97% of UV radiation, but in practice, most people get much less protection because they don’t use sunscreen properly.
UV radiation penetrates skin causing damage to the cells. There are different types of radiation which cause different types of damage. These are called UVA and UVB. A broad spectrum sunscreen fi lters out both types of UV radiation.
Sunscreens contain ingredients which work in two different ways. They can:
Many sunscreens contain a mixture of both types of ingredients to maximise their effectiveness. None of these chemicals has been shown to cause any long-term side effects.
Sunscreen can be bought as a cream, lotion, milk or gel and as long as it is broad spectrum and SPF30+, it will work well. Choose a sunscreen which suits your skin type and activity. Water resistant sunscreen is best if you are going to be swimming or are likely to sweat. If your skin is sensitive then it may be best to use a fragrance free sunscreen with zinc or titanium dioxide. Alcohol or gel based sunscreens are least likely to worsen acne.
For sunscreen to be effective it needs to be applied 20 minutes before going out into the sun. A generous amount of sunscreen is needed however many people don’t apply enough. As a guide, about a teaspoon (5ml) is required for each arm, leg, front of body, back of body and half a teaspoon for the face. The average sized adult needs about 7 teaspoons for their whole body (35ml). Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, whether or not the label says to do so. Sunscreen is easily wiped or washed off so reapplying is important. And check the expiry date; most sunscreens will last for two-to-three years.
Remember to cover up to protect your skin from damage and use sunscreen on areas of the body that will be exposed to the sun. Try not to rely on sunscreen alone, but keep a bottle handy so you don’t get caught out!
