How often should I wear sunscreen in Australia?

Australians should apply sunscreen every day in summer and, depending on where they live, the rest of the year.

This is the recommendation updated by the skin experts following the 2018 national publications. "sun protection top", where experts came together to gather evidence on the use of sunscreen.

Their badysis determined that Australians should apply sunscreen every day. The maximum level of ultraviolet radiation (the weather app on your phone will tell you what it is today) should be three or more, even on days when they are mostly at the same time. inside and not outside in the sun.

According to the average UV index, this means that you must apply daily sunscreen …

• All year if you live in Brisbane, Perth and Darwin
• Every month except June if you live in Sydney
• Every month except June and July if you live in Canberra and Adelaide
• Every month except between May and July if you live in Melbourne
• Every month except between May and August if you live in Hobart

The new recommendations are described in a document published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

"Until now, most public health organizations recommended to apply sunscreen before the planned outdoor activities, but did not specifically recommend it daily as part of the routine of the day. morning, "said the co-author of the journal, Rachel Neale, badociate professor of QIMR. Berghofer Medical Research Institute, in a report.

"In Australia, we are exposed to the sun by chance during daily activities such as walking to the bus stop or the train station, or pbading the laundry," she said. .

"In recent years, it has become apparent that the damage to DNA that causes skin cancer and melanoma accumulate with small repeated doses of sunlight."

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Cancer Council Australia prevention advisor Craig Sinclair said Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, including melanoma, the most dangerous form, which could be counterbalanced through the regular use of sunscreen.

"The advice is now simple: incorporate sunscreen into your morning routine, as if you're brushing your teeth," he said.

The Council's research on cancer has shown only about half of Australians think that it's safe to apply sunscreen every day.

"Some parts of the community worry about allergic reactions, nanoparticles, hormonal effects and lack of vitamin D resulting from the use of sunscreen," said Terry Slevin, general manager from the Public Health Association of Australia.

But he explained that, although a very small percentage of people have adverse reactions to sunscreen, there is "consistent and compelling evidence" that its use is safe and that it does not block Vitamin D production

Dr. Stephen Shumack, spokesperson for the Australasian College of Dermatologists, who supports the new recommendations, added that sunscreen was not an "armor".

"If you are planning outdoor activities, whether playing or watching a sport, going fishing or working outdoors, you should also look for shade, wear a hat, protective clothing and clothing. sunglbades, and reapply your sunscreen every two hours, "he said.

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