Nothing ruins summer like a sunburn. The pain and redness may only last a few days, but a bad sunburn can have long-term effects that will leave you wishing you’d lathered up better. Try these tips for avoiding harmful sun exposure this summer.
While it’s certainly true that you can get sunburnt all year ‘round – especially when you’re in the snow, thanks to its propensity for UV reflection – here in Queensland, we tend to spend a lot more time out in the sun during the summer months, meaning we seriously increase our chances of getting burned. That’s why it’s so important to keep those five sun safety secrets that the Cancer Council recommends – ‘slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’ – front of mind whenever we’re exposed to the sun’s rays.
SLIP…
on some clothing that protects your skin from the sun. Whether it’s a sun shirt in the water or a long- sleeve top on the shore, making sure that your skin isn’t exposed to the UV rays is a sure-fire way to prevent sunburn. Keep the fabric lightweight to stay nice and cool, too.
SLOP…
on a protective sunscreen that is SPF30 or higher. The Cancer Council recommends reapplying your sunscreen every two hours, particularly when you’re sweating, swimming or towel drying, while also following their other sun safety tips.
SLAP…
on a hat – the broader the brim, the better! While you should generally try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, wearing a protective hat when you do have to spend time outdoors is a great way to protect not just your face and neck, but your scalp too (an easily forgotten area where melanomas are reportedly more lethal).
SEEK…
a shady spot if you’re planning on spending the day outside! Whether it’s under one of the enormous pine trees that are common on the southern end of the Gold Coast or your own beach umbrella, having a shady spot to relax in is a great way to reduce your risk of sunburn and overheating.
SLIDE…
on some sunnies, but make sure they meet Australian standards – the sunglasses must have, at minimum, good UV protection and protection against sun glare. Consult the Cancer Council website for a full description of the Australian Standard for protective eyewear before you make any purchases.
When in doubt, refer to the handy SunSmart app! It will tell you what the UV index – the ultraviolet radiation, said to be the invisible killer that you won’t see or feel – is like for the day and how much sun protection you should use.
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