Beauty & Style

Sun Salutation

Oct 24 05:39pm

How to soak up the rays without regret this summer.

Putting on sunscreen is like flossing your teeth: it's a habit you're totally into - in theory. But in reality you're busy, and coating yourself with cream takes time. And it's greasy.

But skipping the slather is a bad idea. You don't need to bake like Donatella to get skin cancer. Melanoma has increased by around 30 per cent since 1980, and according to The Cancer Council NSW, it's the most common cancer in women aged 15 to 29 in New South Wales.

Rays of might
As far as your skin is concerned, there are two dangerous kinds of rays: UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B). UVB is strongest during peak daylight hours (10am to 4pm), and it causes most skin cancers.

But UVA causes cancer too, especially melanoma, as well as age-related sun damage such as wrinkles and brown spots. And it's insidious, hitting you even when the sun is weakest. Not to mention that it travels through windows.

Label savvy
SPF (sun protection factor) indicates UVB protection, but to guard against UVA look for "broad spectrum" on labelling. The Cancer Council NSW says broad spectrum sunscreens block about 80 per cent of UVA rays.

Also keep an eye out for an extra-special UVA blocker called mexoryl SX (or ecamsule), and mexoryl XL (or drometrizole trisiloxane), which helps keep it effective twice as long - for several hours instead of one or two. You can find it in Garnier Ambre Solaire sunscreens.

The dermatologists we consulted also recommend The Cancer Council Classic Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($12.95), Hamilton Everyday Face SPF 30+ ($13.95), and Sunsense Daily Face SPF 30+.

Easy does it
Sunscreen takes about half an hour to soak in, so rub it on clean skin before breakfast, then add moisturiser and make-up. Make sure you use enough.

"Studies of actual sunscreen application suggest that people use on average only 25 to 50 per cent of the amount used to rate sunscreens," says Dr Belinda Welsh, a Melbourne dermatologist.

You need to apply half a teaspoon for your face, neck and ears, and a teaspoon for each arm, leg, your back and torso. Reapply every two hours (more often if you sweat or towel it off).

5 Comments Report Abuse

1. julesb70 - Nov 13 07:47am

I recently travelled overseas and noticed there were sunscreens on sale that were above our standard SPF 30 for example Guerlain, Banana Boat and Coppertone market a SPF 50. Why are these not sold here? Is it a marketing ploy and the best protection is 30 ? Some of these countries are very hot and sunny so I get why they would want the highest SPF possible. These brands are available in North America so why not here?

2. jessicaelberg - Nov 14 01:10pm

Encouraging sun smart behaviour, while simultaneously displaying a sun-tanned model under the caption: 'How to soak up the rays without regret this summer' is ironic.

3. alishastephen - Nov 14 03:57pm

As far as i am aware the 30 on our sunscreens literally indicates anything above 30 such as 50 etc. I believe it is a labelling requirement not to encourage people to spend more time in the sun just because they think they are protected by a higher SPF.

4. notsosunsmart - Nov 14 08:55pm

Interesting that skin cancer has increased with the increased use of sunscreen. Perhaps there should be more study on the cancer causing agents in sunscreen. Just check out many of the health sites that are against putting toxins such as sunscreen on your body. What drew my attention to look into sunscreens was that a bottle has spilled on a shelf in the supermarket and it had stripped the paint off the shelving.

5. elision - Nov 15 08:06am

alishastephen, that's absolutely right. it's also been found that the difference in protection between SPF 30 and say SPF 60 is fairly insignificant, but when people use a higher SPF they use sunscreen more sparingly. a lot of sunscreens labelled as 30 here are exactly the same as the ones labelled 60 in other countries- they have to change the labels when imported.