Australian Immigration Daily News

Sun protection means protecting skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Everyone needs to protect their skin from UVA and UVB rays, the two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun that reach the earth’s surface.

This radiation can cause health problems such as sunburn, skin ageing, eye damage and even skin cancer. Use a combination of the following main ways to help protect yourself in the sun:

• slip on a shirt,
• slop on sunscreen,
• slap on a hat,
• slide on sunglasses,  
• and seek shade wherever and whenever you can.

Cover up

Wearing a wide–brimmed hat can reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching your face.

Protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers. Choose close-weave materials that block out the most UV rays. Quality sunglasses that meet Australian standards for UV protection help to protect your eyes and eyelids. Wraparound sunglasses also protect the skin around your eyes.

Wear sunscreen

Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure it has a SPF of 30+. Sunscreens are generally very safe and you can use them generously when planning time out in the sun. Generally, apply about two teaspoons worth for your face, neck and arms; and two tablespoons for your whole body when wearing a swimsuit. Use it about 15–20 minutes before you head out and re–apply at least every two hours.

Seek shade

Where possible, seek out shady areas under trees, and use umbrellas or canopies when outdoors.

Clouds won’t stop the sun's UV rays getting through so protect yourself even when it's cloudy.

But remember – get some vitamin D

It’s important to balance sun protection with maintaining healthy vitamin D levels. Sunlight provides much more bone–boosting vitamin D for people living in Australia than dietary supplementation. All it takes is 10 minutes a day of direct summer sun on your face and arms to maintain the level of vitamin D that is generally recommended.

For further information

Bupa health information at www.bupa.com.au/healthinfo

Cancer Council Australia at www.cancer.org.au

This post was supplied by Bupa

Sources:

Australian College of Dermatologists. A–Z of skin: sun protection. (www.dermcoll.asn.au)

Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Osteoporosis Australia, Australasian College of Dermatologists and Cancer Council Australia. Risk and benefits of sun exposure: Position statement. (www.cancer.org.au)

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Sunglasses and protection from solar ultraviolet radiation factsheet. (www.arpansa.gov.au)

Cancer Council Australia. (www.cancer.org.au)