Bay Harbour: November 02, 2016

2
[Edition datE]
Wednesday November 2 2016
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 23
Be Sun Smart
This Summer
Summer is just around the corner,
and as the days get longer and
warmer we all spend more time out
in the sun.
Now is the time to check our sunscreen
supply, whether there is plenty and the
expiry date.
WHY IS SUNBURN SO BAD?
Sunburn can lead to melanoma and
other skin cancers later in life and should
be avoided.
Research continues into how skin cancers
are formed, and what type of UV exposure
has the worst effects. Sunburn is painful
and potentially deadly, so cover up to avoid
getting sunburnt.
Find out more about skin cancer.
HOW CAN I BE SUNSMART
Being SunSmart is about protecting skin
and eyes from damaging UV radiation.
From September to April when outdoors:
Slip into a long-sleeved shirt and into the
shade. Generally, fabrics with a tighter weave
and darker colours will give you greater
protection from the sun. Some clothing is
sold with a UV radiation Protection Factor
(UPF) rating. Clothing with a UPF of 50+
offers superior protection and could be an
ideal choice for outdoor workers.
Slop on plenty of broad-spectrum (filters
both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen with a
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before
going outdoors and reapply every two
hours. Reapply more frequently if sweating
or swimming.
Slap on a hat with a wide-brim or a cap
with flaps. This will help reduce the risk of
sunburn to your face, ears and neck. These
are the most common places where we get
sunburnt.
Wrap on a pair of close-fitting sunglasses.
When buying sunglasses, look for the words
‘good UV protection’ on the label or swing
tag.
Remember to always protect skin and eyes
when you’re in the mountains, or around
reflective surfaes like snow and water, when
UV levels are damaging.
SUNSMART MYTHS
1) I can’t get sunburnt on a cloudy day.
False: You can still get sunburnt on a cloudy
day. This is because UV radiation can get
through light cloud cover, so unprotected
skin can still be damaged.
2) Temperature gives me a good idea of the
the chances of getting sunburnt.
False: The heat from the sun is caused by
infrared radiation, not ultraviolet (UV)
radiation. UV radiation can still be high
even on a cool day, when infrared radiation
is low. Just think about how easy it is to get
sunburnt on the skifields when it can be
very cold.
3) I’m windburnt not sunburnt.
False: Your windburn is sunburn caused by
ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The wind may
make you feel cooler but UV radiation can
still be high even on a windy day. Just think
about why you don’t get windburn if you’re
out in the dark on a windy night.
4) Sunscreen blocks out all UV radiation.
False: No sunscreen filters out all UV
radiation – that’s why you need to limit your
time in the sun no matter what sunscreen
you’re using and cover up.
5) Getting badly sunburnt before the age of
20 increases my risk of getting melanoma
skin cancer later on.
True: If you have a history of one or more
sunburns before you turn 20, research
suggests you have a much higher chance of
getting melanoma skin cancer as you age.
6) Wearing a t-shirt in the water is as sun
protective as a rash shirt.
False: A wet t-shirt may offer only half the
protection it does when it is dry. If you are
going to be in the water, a rash shirt and
sunscreen is a good form of protection. A
full body wetsuit gives better protection.