Enjoying a hassle-free day in the sun is extremely important in Australia, where 2 out of every 3 people will likely be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. With that in mind, SunDoctors has collected the top 10 safety tips to bear in mind during summer.
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Use a good sunscreen
One of the most important things you can do to protect your skin in summer is to use a good sunscreen. SunDoctors recommends using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher – the higher this number is, the better the protection it provides.
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Apply the sunscreen correctly
Of course, it’s no good having a high-SPF sunscreen if you don’t apply it correctly. Generally speaking, adults should apply at least one teaspoon to each limb and the front and back of their body, and at least half a teaspoon to their face, neck and ears. Apply the sunscreen at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors and reapply once every 2-4 hours – sooner if it has come off with swimming or from sweating.
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Wear a hat
Wear a broad-brimmed or legionnaire’s hat that provides cover not just for your face, but your ears and neck as well. Of course, this goes hand-in-hand with our next tip:
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And don’t forget sunglasses!
Harmful UV rays from the sun can also damage your eyes, so wearing sunglasses to protect them is a must. Sunglasses that block UV radiation are widely available in Australia, and picking up a pair of them will help you protect your eyesight.
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Wear appropriate clothing
Wearing, for example, a shirt with a collar and long sleeves can provide far greater protection in the hot summer sun than a singlet may due to the increased coverage it offers. Likewise, clothing made of fabric that possesses a higher density weave generally lets less light through and reduce your chances of developing sunburn.
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Don’t be fooled by cloudy weather
Just because it’s cloudy or cool outside doesn’t mean that there’s no chance of sunburn. UV radiation still occurs on these kinds of days, so take the necessary precautions if you’re planning on having fun outside.
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Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated when you are sweating through the Australian summer is absolutely essential. While cooling yourself down by going for a swim in the ocean is good, it should be paired with regular consumption of water. And how do you make sure that you keep your water cold, even on a hot day? Well, you should…
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Freeze your water bottle beforehand
Simply put, if you are planning on going to the beach tomorrow and want to make sure that your water doesn’t overheat once you’re there, then pop it in the freezer the night before. This way, it will melt once you’re at the beach and will be guaranteed to keep cool for longer.
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Treat sunburn with care
Of course, there may come a time where you, unfortunately, suffer from sunburn after a day outdoors. It’s crucial to stay well-hydrated if this happens, as your skin tends to lose a large amount of fluid when it burns. If showering when sunburnt, try to use cooler water and less irritating soap, as these can prevent any further damage from being inflicted.
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Monitor any changes to your skin
If you notice, for example, a new mole developing after a long day at the beach, make an appointment at your local SunDoctors clinic. Likewise, if any of your existing moles have changed in shape, colour, or size, come in and see us – it’s the best way to get on top of any potential skin cancers and treat them successfully.
Follow these safety tips, and you’ll be sure to have a much more relaxing and stress-free summer. For more information or to schedule a skin check, get in touch with the team at SunDoctors today.
