A guide to sunscreen

In their lifetimes, at least 2 out of 3 Australians will receive a skin cancer diagnosis.¹

But, as one Australian study revealed, this risk can be significantly reduced with long-term sunscreen use, which has prevented thousands of skin cancer deaths in Australia.²

"There's lots of studies showing that getting a sunburn increases your risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer," says Professor Anne Cust, Chair of Cancer Council's National Skin Cancer Committee.

"And the more times you get burned, the higher your risk of skin cancer."

Despite this, a mere 2 out of 5 Australians are reported to use sunscreen on high ultraviolet (UV) days (which Cancer Council Australia defines as 3 or above on the UV index).³

"Australia does have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world," Professor Cust warns. "We've got a predominantly fair-skinned population, and the UV levels that we experience here are much higher than elsewhere in the world."

If fact, Australian peak summertime UV levels often exceed 12 on the UV index, even reaching a whopping 17 in some northern areas.⁴

"We just have a much more intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation. And on top of that, Australians are spending a lot of time outdoors," Professor Cust adds.

There are lots of sunscreen products available, including sun creams, zinc blocks and pump pack sprays. The Cancer Council doesn't recommend aerosol sprays as environmental factors like wind make them less effective against UV.

While certain products might suit your skin type better, Professor Cust recommends using a sunscreen that you're ultimately most likely to use.

"Just find one you find comfortable to wear," she says. "Usually, the one that you like is the one that you're going to wear."

That said, while the type of sunscreen is a matter of preference, Professor Cust stresses that it should always meet each of the following specifications:

UV radiation is one of the 3 types of energy that's emitted from the sun (the others being visible and infrared light). It's broken into 3 different types, UVA, UVB and UVC, with the first 2 being able to penetrate earth's atmosphere (and therefore posing a risk). As Professor Cust explains:

Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides the full range of protection by blocking both UVA and UVB radiation. Thankfully, Professor Cust adds, most sunscreens on the market in Australia are broad spectrum.

This is especially important if you plan on getting in the water or you think you'll be sweating.

"Sunscreen can rub off easily."

"We recommend that people use SPF 50 or 50+," says Professor Cust.

SPF stands for 'sun protection factor'. In Australia, you'll typically find sunscreens in SPF15, SPF30, SPF50 and SPF50+.

SPF ratings indicate how much UVB radiation the product blocks. According to Cancer Council:

• SPF30 blocks around 96.7% of UVB radiation
• SPF50 blocks around 98% of UVB radiation.⁵

The SPF number also measures the amount of time your skin will be protected in the sun compared to how long it would take for you to get burned without sunscreen. For example, if you normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun without sunscreen, SPF15 would protect you for 15 times that length (150 minutes). With an SPF50 sunscreen, that would be 500 minutes.

In reality, though, that time is shorter. Things like sweating, swimming and improper application will most likely reduce your level of protection.

According to Cancer Council, you should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours on high UV days (or directly after you swim, sweat or towel off).⁶

While sunscreen is at the top of the list when it comes to sun safety, it's only one part of the story. One in 5, to be exact.

Gone is the era of simply 'slipping, slopping and slapping'. These days, Cancer Council recommends the 5 sun safety S's on days when the UV index is 3 and above:

• Slip on sun-protecting clothing.
• Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen.
• Slap on a broad-brimmed hat.
• Seek shade from the sun.
• Slide on a pair of sunglasses that meet Australian standards.⁷

"Slipping on as much clothing as possible to cover your skin, [regularly] slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, seeking shade where possible and sliding on sunglasses," says Professor Cust.

Find out more information about sun safety in Australia by visiting Cancer Council's website.