We all associate scorching sunburns with the scorching summer, but no matter the season the sun is still a deadly laser - are you staying sun-safe?
Some Sun Safety
Any Aussie knows about sun safety - it's as much a part of our culture as a good sausage sizzle - but that doesn't mean we all do what we should to take care of ourselves. As many as 95% of skin cancer cases are caused by sun exposure, and with 2/3 of Australians experiencing skin cancer by the time they're 70, that's a sizeable chunk of people experiencing skin cancers that could be avoided. Many of these cases even start in the colder months, when people are less likely to watch out for the sun because it's 'not hot out'.
Just because it's cool doesn't mean your skin's safe. Skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV rays - you've heard of them before). UV rays are constantly emitted by the sun, and are mostly filtered by the ozone layer. However, the ozone layer over Australia is full of holes and a lot of UV rays leak through - more so than other parts of the world.
Although it's not quite accurate, think of UV rays as closer to light than temperature - if there's sunlight, you can probably get sunburned.
UV rays are measured by the UV index, a scale from 1-15 that recommends sun protection if it gets to 3 or above. Unfortunately for Queenslanders, we hit 'higher than a 3' nearly every day of the year - yes, even during the coldest days of winter - and this means that we should be slopping on sunscreen and slapping on a hat every single day to minimise the risks of skin cancer. Research shows that the lowest average rating for Brisbane's UV index in a month was June - measuring in at 3.7, significantly above the safety zone.
What if I'm nice and tanned?
Congratulations, you're not protecting your skin properly! Something that comes as a shock to most people is the fact that there is no healthy tan - every tan is actually a sign of damage to your skin. Rather than a 'healthy glow', it's more akin to a giant bruise or scab, as your skin darkens to try and prevent further UV damage. Give your body a hand and put on some sunscreen, because a tan is long past the point you should have started protecting yourself.
Similarly, fake tans have no actual value, particularly in sun protection, and have been found to have no inherent sun protection factor. Although some fake tans come with an SPF rating, even the best sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours - no sunscreen lasts longer than this, and fake tans are no exception.
Although naturally darker skin does have a small part in reducing the effects of UV exposure, those with darker skin can still get sunburned. Moreover, skin cancers can often be more difficult to detect in darker skin, making sun exposure particularly dangerous for a large part of Australia's population. There's no getting around it - sunscreen is your friend.
It should go without saying at this point, but solariums are not recommended. Commercial solariums have been outlawed in all states and territories (except the Northern Territory, who didn't have any to begin with). Although private solariums are still legal, the Cancer Council highly recommends against their ownership and usage.
Solariums are exclusively designed to expose you to an excess of (artificial) UV rays in order to quickly tan your skin, at UV indices ranging from 31-48 (which drastically exceeds natural conditions). Given that, again, there is no such thing as a healthy tan, the benefits of solariums and other similar devices simply do not exist.
Cloudy days are fine, right?
Believe it or not, cloudy days can potentially be worse than a clear sky for UV exposure. UV rays can easily penetrate a normal cloud layer, but worse than that, some clouds even act as reflective 'surfaces' for the UV rays, bounce the UV rays around, and increase your risk of skin cancer. There's no going with your gut for this one - either ask a meteorologist or stay sun-safe.
What about my Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that's vital to keeping your bones and muscles ready for whatever work you throw at them, but it's not as hard to come by as some might think. Particularly when the UV index is greater than 3 (so almost every day in Queensland) you only need a few minutes per day in order to get your vitamin D requirements.
If you spend any time at all outside - walking the dog, hanging out the washing, gardening, walking to the car, etc - you've got your fill; there's no need to sunbake. Sunscreen has been found to not substantially reduce Vitamin D production in practice, but there are Vitamin D supplements if you're particularly worried - talk to your doctor about it!
What if I work outdoors?
Sunscreen, hat, etc. Although you might think you've 'built up an immunity' to the sun, outdoor workers are actually one of the highest incidence cases of skin cancer. It is strongly recommended that you always slip/slop/slap no matter the conditions. Make sure your boss is providing everything you need to stay safe, because it's their legal duty of care to do so.
The UV index is only designed based off of average levels of sun exposure - levels below 3 can still cause damage to the skin if experienced for extended periods of time, making outdoor work high risk even while following typical regulations.
And when it is hot...
Be sure to keep yourself well hydrated. Heat stress is a massive Australian threat, and drinks like the Thorzt Hydration Drink are vital for staying at the top of your game in the heat.
For more information, see the Cancer Council's resources on sun safety and check out our blog on Heat Stress
