Sunscreen is Your Last Resort

Lately we’ve seen a large public uproar after sunscreen has failed to protect children from severe burns after prolonged exposure to the sun while swimming.

Sunscreen products produced by Cancer Council and Banana Boat are under fire but have both come to the defence of their extensively quality tested products.

While the public are quick to complain to the manufacturers, very few are calling into question our nation’s lacking sun safety education and behaviours.

An Australian dies from skin cancer every six hours, and 2 in 3 people will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer before 70 - proving that what is being done already isn’t enough.

While the population is aware that sunscreen should be used, many forget that it should only be their last line of defence against harmful sun exposure.

Covering up as much skin as possible with UPF rated clothes, wearing broad brimmed hats, sunglasses and seeking shade should the used first and foremost to stay protected from harmful UV exposure.

Above all else however, it is stressed that sunscreen should still be used in conjunction with these preventative measures.

If you believe that the sunscreen could cause a rare adverse reaction, it is recommended to first test it on a small section of skin indoors.

It is very likely that instead the sunscreen is being applied incorrectly in combination with few other preventative measures being undertaken.

Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside, as while many products are water-resistant they are not water-proof meaning that re-application is necessary immediately after swimming.

Consumers should also be aware that sunscreen needs to be stored in a cool place and its expiry date checked as prolonged exposure to excessive heat can reduce the effectiveness of the product.

We also recommend the use of Sundicator products – allowing the wearer to see UV and take immediate preventative action.

You can watch below a demonstration of how poor sun behaviours such as swimming without re-applying can expose you to harmful and damaging UV radiation.

#sun