The best sun protection for young babies is shade and light clothing to protect them from the sun. Sunscreen is recommended for babies six months and older. It is important to use sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin, free from fragrances and irritants. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
SPF (sun protection factor) is a measure relating to UVB and the time taken to see a sunburn reaction compared to using no protection at all. It does not measure protection against UVA radiation and therefore it is very important to choose a sunscreen that has both a high SPF (50+) and is also labelled as broad-spectrum. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
Any healing wound should be protected completely from the sun and a new tattoo is no different. The best protection is a completely opaque covering such as a dressing or thick clothing, but if this is not possible then high SPF sunscreen should be used at all times. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
It's best to protect your skin every day to avoid long-term damage. Sun-exposed areas should be protected with sunscreen as well as shade, hats and sunglasses where possible. When exposed to high UV levels you should reapply your sunscreen regularly and use additional protection such as clothing as much as possible. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
Choose a sunscreen formulated especially for sensitive skin which is fragrance free and free from other irritants such as parabens. If you have had an adverse reaction to sunscreen in the past, then is always advisable to test the sunscreen in a small area for a few days prior to applying it over the whole face. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
Unfortunately a spray tan offers no effective level of sun protection. The tan like a dye in the outer layers of the skin but has no protective effect. Fake tanning is much safer than conventional tanning from the sun but it is still essential to use regular sun protection to avoid unintended damage after using fake tan. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
Without sunscreen it is difficult to obtain complete protection from the sun if outdoors. Sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade are great additions to reduce sun damage but due to reflection of sunlight we cannot completely protect our skin outdoors without using sunscreen. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
Unfortunately any suntan is a distress call from the skin and shows that the skin is trying to protect itself from UV damage. The only tanning that avoids skin damage is fake tan. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
The face is the most frequently exposed area. It's important to develop a daily habit of high SPF protection on the face. This will reduce the sun damage throughout one’s life. However even with daily sun protection, direct sun exposure on the face should be avoided where possible using hats, shade and sunglasses. Dr Cara McDonald, Dermatologist – Complete Skin Specialists
The most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, is one of the most common types of cancer among young people, with women under 30 being particularly affected. The good news is that most skin cancer cases are completely preventable thanks to adequate sun protection in the form of protective clothing, smart sun-behaviours and the right sunscreen.
The following sections offer an overview of key concepts in sun protection: How does sun protection work and why is it so important, and how can you be sure you and your family’s skin is safe?
You will also learn top tips on skin cancer prevention and guidance on using the ABCDE method to screen your and your loved ones’ moles.
Finally, we also address concerns regarding sun protection and product safety – how safe is your sunscreen for both you and the environment?
90% of skin cancers are curable, if detected early*. Become a Skin Checker and monitor your and your loved ones’ moles.
