2017 HCHB_digital

CONTINUING OTC EDUCATION
Sun Protection Advice
Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap!
••
Slip on a shirt and slip into the shade in summer
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Put on standard-approved sun-protective clothing or wear dark, tightly woven clothes.
Seek shade between 10am and 4pm.
••
Slop on sunscreen
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Use an SPF 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen (that meets the revised AUS/NZS 2604:2012)
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Apply thickly (use at least seven teaspoonsful or 35ml) 15–20 minutes before going
outside
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Reapply every two hours as well as after swimming or sweating.
••
Slap on a hat
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Choose a hat with a wide brim or a cap with flaps.
••
Wrap on a pair of sunglasses.
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Choose standard-approved wrap-around sunglasses.
Sunscreen should not be used as a way of staying out in the sun longer, but as a way of reducing
risk of UV exposure.
ingredients (eg, oxybenzone, octyl methoxy cinnamate, octocrylene) and physical
sunscreens, such as zinc and titanium oxide.
Sensible sun protection is unlikely to make people vitamin D deficient as vitamin
D is still made by the skin in the shade with sunscreen on. Sunscreens that allow for
vitamin D production allow one specific wavelength of UVB light to penetrate the skin
in order to make vitamin D. Therefore the benefits of allowing vitamin D penetration
need to be weighed against the risks of unlimited penetration of that UVB wavelength
all day. Sunsmart NZ and the NZ Ministry of Health recommend 30 minutes of sun
exposure without sunblock every day before 10am and after 4pm from September
to April. From May to August, 30 minutes of sunblock-free sun exposure should take
place around the middle of the day.
Initial assessment
Despite New Zealand having higher levels of UV radiation than most of the rest of the
world, we are not generally very good at applying sunscreen. For customers buying
sunscreen, take note of their skin type and stress the importance of never getting
sunburnt, especially to those with fair skin. Explain the different types of sunscreen
and encourage proper and regular application (see text box Sun Protection Advice
above). Educate visitors from overseas about the dangers of our sun and that
protection is often required for most of the day (ie, 9.30am – 5pm) during summer.
Sell customers presenting with mild sunburn a topical cooling preparation (eg,
aloe vera) and an SPF 50+ sunscreen for future use. Refer anybody with "yes"
answers to the Refer to Pharmacist questions to a pharmacist.
Refer to
PHARMACIST
The following questions aim to identify customers who would benefit
from further input from a pharmacist. Your initial assessment may
have already provided some answers. Decide if any further questions
still need to be asked and refer any “yes” answers to a pharmacist.
• Does the person have any other health conditions (eg,
immunosuppression, cancer)?
• Does the person take any other medication, either prescribed by a
doctor or bought from a shop or supermarket (including herbal/
complementary medications) that may affect how long they should
stay in the sun?
• Does the person have severe sunburn and blisters?
• Is the person in extreme pain, feeling unwell or have a headache?
• Is the person complaining of burning more easily than before,
especially if sun exposure has been minimal?
• Is the person a young child with moderate to severe sunburn?
• Does the person have any other symptoms, apart from sunburn?
• Does the sunburn appear to be a recurring problem?
• Does the person have any suspicious-looking moles?
• Is the person allergic to any topical ingredients?
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ALL sunscreens need to be reapplied after immersion in water or after
sweating.
• Warn people taking phototoxic medications (eg, doxycycline) to limit sun
exposure and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen when outside.
• Avoid sunbeds since the risk of skin cancer is increased. Artificial tanning lotions
may be used to create a tanned look without exposure to the sun.
• Store sunscreen away from heat and discard once expired.
Advice for customers
• Sunscreen is considered safe to use on full-term babies over six months of
age; however, it is still best to keep them out of the sun as much as possible.
• Water-resistant sunscreen products retain sun protection properties for at
least 40 minutes in water.
SunSense is a premium sunscreen range,
scientifically formulated for individual
skin types. SunSense provides very high
UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection.
SunSense is fragrance free,
non-comedogenic and contains added
moisturisers to hydrate skin
Always read the label,
use only as directed
NZ’s #1 Sunscreen brand in Pharmacy *
*Iri Market Data, NZ National Pharmacy 13 wks to 22/01/17
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