Australia faces some of the highest levels of UV radiation globally due to its proximity to the equator and frequent clear, sunny days. As a result, it’s essential to protect our skin from the sun, which helps prevent sunburn and lowers the risk of skin cancer. This is especially crucial when you consider that nearly two out of three Australians will develop skin cancer before turning 701. Sunburn occurs when the skin is exposed to excessive UV radiation. Although we can see the sunlight and feel the warmth, the radiation itself is invisible, which often leads to people getting burnt without realizing it.
What happens when you get sunburned?
Sunburn occurs when your skin is exposed to excessive UV radiation from the sun, causing damage to the skin cells. This leads to inflammation, resulting in red, painful skin that may also become swollen. As your skin tries to heal, blisters may form, and you could experience other symptoms such as fever, nausea, or headaches if the burn is severe. Over time, sunburned skin will peel as it sheds damaged cells. Repeated sunburns can increase the risk of skin cancer and lead to premature aging, making it essential to protect your skin from excessive sun exposure.
Suncare Terms: SPF, UVA, UVB, and UVC
When sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface, it is made up of three types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
- UVA (Ultraviolet A) rays are long-wave and penetrate deeply into the skin’s inner layers. These rays can cause long-term skin damage, including wrinkles, sun spots, and premature aging.
- UVB (Ultraviolet B) rays are short-wave and primarily affect the outer layers of your skin. These rays are the leading cause of sunburn and are a significant factor in the development of skin cancers.
- UVC (Ultraviolet C) rays are the most harmful, but fortunately, the ozone layer protects us by blocking them from reaching the Earth’s surface.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF of a sunscreen, the more UVB radiation it can block. Sunscreens labeled as broad-spectrum provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. When applied correctly, an SPF30 sunscreen blocks out 96.7% of UVB rays, while SPF50 blocks 98%. It’s essential to reapply sunscreen every two hours to maintain the best protection. However, always check the label and follow the manufacturer’s directions, as some instructions may vary.
How to Effectively Protect Yourself from the Sun
Follow the 5 S's
Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide.
- SLIP on protective clothing.
- SLOP on sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- SLAP on a hat to shield your face and neck.
- SEEK shade whenever possible.
- SLIDE on sunglasses to protect your eyes.
In simple terms, always ensure there is something between you and the sun. For instance, a t-shirt provides more protection than a tank top. Apply sunscreen of at least SPF30 to any exposed skin, especially when there’s no shade, and be sure to reapply it regularly.
Watch the Time
Did you know that UV rays are at their strongest from 10 am to 3 pm? To minimize skin damage, try to stay in the shade during these peak hours. However, that doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors on sunny days. You can still enjoy the outdoors by sitting in a shaded café, restaurant, or ice cream shop while keeping protected.
Apply Sunscreen Before Dressing
When you put on clothes first, it can be difficult to ensure you’ve applied sunscreen to all exposed areas. By applying sunscreen before getting dressed, it’s easier to reach all the areas that need protection. This method also allows the sunscreen to absorb more effectively into your skin, offering better protection. Ideally, allow about 20 minutes for sunscreen to absorb before heading out into the sun.
Be Aware of UV's Sneaky Nature
Just because it’s a cloudy day doesn’t mean you’re safe from the sun. UV rays can pass through clouds, sometimes even causing more harm due to the reflection from the clouds. Always follow the 5 S’s, even on overcast days, when spending time outdoors.
Understand What a Tan Really Is
A tan is your skin’s way of defending itself from sun damage. When you tan, you’re intentionally harming your skin’s DNA. The brown color is a result of your skin trying to protect itself while repairing the damage caused by UV exposure.
Sun-Smart Tips for Families
Forget the mindset of “she’ll be right”, While it might feel like the sun won’t affect us, most people will either be diagnosed with skin issues later in life or know someone who has been.
- Embrace the “Nerdiness”, Get excited about choosing a good sunscreen, just like you would for a bronzer, lip balm, or serum.
- High SPF Sunshades, Use breathable fabrics with high SPF ratings to protect your little ones in prams and baby capsules.
- Tinted Car Windows, Opt for the highest SPF tint available to provide extra protection while in the car.
- Hats, Keep a variety of hats stashed in backpacks, cars, and bags. It’s easier when kids aren’t attached to one specific hat.
- Sunglasses, There are even sunglasses designed for infants and young children, so make sure to protect their eyes too.
- Keep Sunscreen Everywhere, As Claudia says, “I always keep sunscreen by the door and in my handbag,” making it easy to apply on the go.
- Try Different Sunscreens, Sunscreen comes in many forms and types. If your child prefers a particular one, go with it!
- Make Sunscreen Fun, Turn the application into a fun activity by covering the bottle with their favorite stickers or using a makeup brush to apply it. Claudia shares, “When they were younger, I’d say it was like face paint.”
- Full-Length Swimwear, Essential for pool or beach days, always opt for swimwear with a minimum SPF 50+ rating for maximum protection.
- Morning Swims, To avoid the harsh midday sun, try swimming early in the morning around 8 am and head home when the UV levels begin to rise.
- Cover Limbs, Choose lightweight, long-sleeved, and light-colored clothing to reduce everyday sun exposure.
- Sun Safety with Helmets, No worries! Legionnaire-style covers and flexible wide-brimmed hats are available to wear with hard hats or cycling helmets for extra protection.
Sunburn First Aid
Sunburn occurs when your skin is overexposed to UV radiation. While you can see the sunlight and feel its warmth, the radiation itself is invisible, which means you may get burned without realizing it.
Signs of Sunburn:
- Red, irritated skin
- Swollen areas
- Skin that is painful to the touch
- Blisters on the skin
- If the sunburn is extensive and severe, you may experience chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting
It’s important to take sunburn seriously. It’s essentially a radiation burn, and even mild to moderate sunburn can lead to permanent skin damage that may eventually cause skin cancer.
Sunburn Severity:
- First Degree: Mild sunburn with redness and inflammation.
- Second Degree: More severe redness and the appearance of water-filled blisters.
- Third Degree: Severe sunburn that requires medical attention. Symptoms include blistering, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or intense pain.
The amount of sun exposure needed to cause sunburn varies by person, but individuals with fairer skin typically burn more quickly. While sunburn cannot be completely cured, there are ways to relieve the pain if you’ve had too much sun.
What You Should Do:
- Stay hydrated, Sun exposure can lead to dehydration, so drink plenty of water.
- Cool the affected areas, Use clean towels or cloths soaked in cool water, or take a cool bath or shower.
- Rest in a cool, quiet space to allow your body to recover.
- Take pain relievers, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can reduce pain and inflammation.
- Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies, Cortisone creams can help calm redness and swelling, while aloe vera gel can soothe mild burns.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing that doesn’t irritate the skin.
- Moisturize your skin, While this won’t prevent peeling, it helps keep the skin beneath the burn hydrated.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure until your skin has fully healed.
What You Should Avoid:
- Using soap on sunburned skin, It may worsen the irritation.
- Applying butter to the burn, This may make the condition worse.
- Popping blisters, This can lead to infection.
- Picking or peeling at the skin, Allow the skin to naturally shed.
- Exposing yourself to the sun until all symptoms of sunburn have completely healed.
If you have severe sunburn accompanied by blistering, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or intense pain, seek immediate medical attention. When it comes to sunburn, prevention is always better than treatment. Be mindful of your sun exposure, especially during peak UV times, and take steps to protect your skin by covering up and applying sunscreen. Your skin will thank you later.
Types of Skin Cancer
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and it is actually the most common form of cancer in the country. There are three primary types of skin cancer:
- Melanoma: The most aggressive and dangerous type of skin cancer, it begins in the skin cells and can spread to other areas of the body. It usually appears as a new spot on the skin or as a change in an existing spot, which may become itchy or bleed. [Learn more about melanoma HERE]
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): This is the most common form of skin cancer and typically has a low likelihood of spreading. It often shows up as a painless lump or as a dry, shiny area that’s either bright pink or pale.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): This type of non-melanoma skin cancer is less common but still unlikely to spread to other areas. Watch for signs such as:
- A growing lump
- Tenderness in the area
- A raised, scaly lump
- Thickened, scaly, and firm patches
- The appearance of a sore that doesn’t heal