More than five million Australians get sunburnt each summer. Most cases of skin cancer are the result of too much exposure to the sun as a child.
Many people burn when the temperature is between 18 and 27 degrees because they imagine that ultraviolet radiation (UV) is not so strong on cool days. It is possible to burn even on overcast and wintry days. On any fine January day, sunburn can occur in 10-15 minutes.
Most of the visible signs of ageing are the result of damage caused by UV exposure, which depletes natural collagen. Deliberate exposure to sunlight outdoors or in solariums has no health benefits. There is no such thing as safe tanning through exposure to UV radiation.
The tan inevitably fades, but the skin damage that can lead to skin cancer remains. The fairer you are, the harder it is for you to tan and the more freckles you develop, the greater your risk of damage.
The sun gives off many types of radiation. The heat and warmth come from its infrared rays, which don't cause sunburn or skin damage. It is UV radiation, which cannot be seen or felt that causes the trouble.
Many Australians think they are protecting themselves from sunburn when they apply sunscreen, but most apply far too little, too infrequently. As a result, we are using a sun-protection factor (SPF) that is 50 to 80 percent less than the label indicates.
Follow the guidelines
- Sunscreen should be applied thickly (about a teaspoonful for each limb and more for your trunk).
- Apply 20 minutes before you go outdoors and re-apply every two hours and after swimming.
- Sunscreen should never be used to extend the amount of time spent in the sun.
- In addition to sunscreen, make sure you slip into protective clothing, covering your limbs as much as possible.
- Slap on a hat that protects your face, neck and ears, wear close-fitting sunglasses and seek shade where possible.
For more information on protecting your skin from the sun, visit The Cancer Council.
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