UV protection de-bunked: Put down the glue and learn the truth!

In recent years government bodies and health agencies have spent millions on sun protection campaigns. The incidence of skin cancers is on the rise, this includes a highly aggressive type, Melanoma. Despite being a largely preventable disease, Melanoma is responsible for the most cancer related deaths affecting young people, and a growing problem in western countries especially Australia. ‘Slip! Slop! Slap!’ An Australian scheme is widely attributed for the remarkable shift in attitudes and behaviours to sun safety.

Of course the campaign is a positive step in preventing a majority of U.V related cases that set back the health system by approximately $500 million every year.  However how much does the public really know? Does a three word slogan provide enough information?  How is it changing attitudes and behaviours?

A great deal of research has gone into this topic, what do we know? ...It is difficult to determine the effect of sunscreen usage in a large population with so many variables. DOH!  The primary variable to blame for this is incorrect practice.  Surely a bit of sunscreen “Slip! Slop! Slapped!” on a hot day should do the trick... think again.

Once is enough

Once is not enough!  A common misconception is applying just once will provide enough protection from the sun all day long.  A general rule is to reapply every 2 hours, more so if you have been swimming or sweating a great deal. Traditionally the main reason for this was the rapid breakdown of unstable sunscreens. This is not the case with modern screens, but the rule still applies because....You’re stingy with it!

Stinginess could cost you!

If applied correctly, the average 250ml bottle of sun lotion is supposed to cover one adult for two long sunny days on the beach yet an average family of four will take about two bottles on a 5 day holiday, instead of the minimum 8. Perhaps applying milk would be a better choice!  So what’s the correct amount? Here’s a student friendly measurement – about a shot glass full of sunscreen per application!

Are you using the right SPF?

Less is more! Really! Unless you’re fond of have a streaky white look to you, put down the SPF 50! Research shows SPF 15 is really all you need! It will be able to filter out 93% of UVB rays (the DNA damaging kind). SPF 50 does not benefit you significantly more than SPF 15, this also means you can get away with applying less! Not only do higher SPFs cost more, they’re more viscous, feel like glue and a day on the beach will give a sand body suit permanently stuck on!

After following these rules, how do you know if you’ve done it right?  Following a long day in the sun enjoying your cocktails on the beach and  you still have a tan, you’ve done it wrong! The skins response to UV induced DNA damage in your cells, are melanocytes deep in the basal layer of the epidermis, increasing their melanin production i.e. producing that lovely bronzed glowing tan you now have! A physical sign of cancer causing DNA damage.

True or False – How many can you get right?

1.        Sunscreens are to blame for the Vitamin D epidemic
2.      It’s cloudy... I don’t need sunscreen
3.      I've never used sunscreen, it’s too late to start now
4.        Sunburn as a child increases the incidence of skin cancer