Let’s all help to make it a Sun Smart Queensland!
We live in a hot part of the world in SE Qld and when it comes to sun damage and avoiding sun cancer prevention really is better than cure. There are still too many people dying from sun cancer and it starts early in life, so teach your children to be sun smart as well from as young an age as possible.
What is the best clothing for sun protection?
Clothing design, style, colour and materials can make a huge difference so consider the following when choosing clothing for sun protection:
Design: collar, sleeves, long shorts or skirt, sunsuits for swimming and outdoors
Colour: darker colours (like blue, green or red) provide better protection because they don’t reflect UVR (ultraviolet radiation) back onto the skin.
Materials: loose fitting clothes allow better air flow, which is cooler and more comfortable. A close weave reduces UVR.
Hats: broad brims are best, especially covering the neck. Legionnaire-style hats are best. Avoid caps and topless hats (sun visors). Bucket-style hats with wider brims are excellent for both adults and children. Close-woven fabric is best.
What about sunscreens?
The best protection is to stay out of the sun, especially for children and infant. Next best of to always use the right clothing, hats and a good quality sunscreen. Sunscreen should be seen as a last line of defence and part of a variety of sun protection methods used simultaneously.
Price is not always the best indicator of quality or suitability in sunscreens, as they may all contain chemicals or not be effective. The best choices should be sunscreens with a 30+SPF (sun protection factor), plus broad-spectrum, which means it provides protection against various forms of UVR. It should also be water-resistant.
If trying a new sunscreen, place a little on a small area of skin to check for any possible reactions. Sunscreens vary in type, such as creams, lotions, gels or alcohol-based. Some will contain more of an active ingredient, while children’s sunscreens will usually contain less or no fragrances, to minimise reactions. If you do have a reaction to a sunscreen, try other types and brands for a suitable one, avoiding the same active ingredient that caused the reaction.
What about sun damage on children?
Children and infants have very little melanin (skin pigment) in their skin to protect against sun exposure, which means a child’s skin can be permanently damaged with too much sun exposure. This can cause moles, freckles, wrinkles, sunspots and even skin cancer later in life. The risk of developing sun cancer is directly related to the intensity and duration of exposure to sun. Research indicates that the amount of sun a child is exposed to is a contributing factor to developing skin cancer later in life.
What can we do?
It’s important to think ahead when considering sun protection, not just in planning for events outdoors, but also knowing that children grow up into adults. We need to prevent the risk of everyone developing melanomas and other skin cancers by providing the best sun protection possible.
Stay out of the sun during the period of day when the sun’s rays are the strongest – 10am to 3pm. This also includes cloudy days. UVR levels are slightly lower in winter, but can still cause skin damage.
Stay in the shade as much as possible when you’re outdoors. Choose places for events that offer good sun protection shade, such as swimming pools, parks, trees, etc. If not, make sure you provide your own shade with umbrellas, tents, shelters and other suitable covers, making sure all shade in non-reflective inside, so UV rays don’t bounce off and burn people inside or under shade.
Be a good role model for your children by practicing safe and smart sun protection at all times. Children learn from what we do more than from what we say, so not only tell them how to protect themselves from the sun, but also model it and show them.
For more info on smart sun protection and skin related cancers, call The Cancer Council Foundation Helpline on 13 11 20 or visit www.qldcancer.com.au