The sun's rays can harm your skin, causing sunburn in the short term and skin cancer in the long term. About 250 New Zealanders die from skin cancers each year. Skin cancer is the commonest cancer in New Zealand and we have one of the highest rates of melanoma deaths in the world
The natural pigment in our skin that protects us from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays is called melanin. Darker skinned people are born with more melanin than fair people. People who tan easily produce more melanin. Melanin does not offer complete protection from the sun's radiation.
Two types of sun rays get through the atmosphere to damage our skin. UVB rays reach the top layers of the skin and cause burning. UVA rays get deep into the skin, causing skin aging and a 'leathery' appearance.
Risks
You have a higher risk of permanent skin damage and skin cancer if you:
- Have fair or sensitive skin
- Spend a lot of your life outdoors
- Get sunburnt
- Tan your skin from UV rays (e.g. from the sun or sun beds)
Sunburnt Skin
If your skin gets sunburnt, treat as a burn. That is:
- Get away from and stay out of the sun.
- Hold burnt skin in cold water for 10 to 5 minutes or have a cool shower
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Talk to your Pharmacist about different sunburn relief products and ask them to recommend one.
- Take a pain reliever such as paracetamol to relieve any pain.
- Use extra protection when you are outdoors again, e.g. cover up and use sunscreens.
Signs of Skin
Cancer
Too much sun can cause permanent damage and skin cancer. Skin cancers,
such as melanoma, start in different ways. If you notice any of the
following, see your doctor immediately, even if it looks trivial.
Treatment will be easier if it is begun early enough.
- Any unusual skin condition that does not heal in four weeks.
- Any new mole or freckle.
- Any mole or freckle that starts to grow, changes its shape, changes colour, bleeds, becomes painful, itchy, or shows redness, darkening or a dull brownish zone around the mole.
For more information visit www.cancernz.org.nz
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
SLIP into a shirt, and slip into some shade
especially between 11am and 4pm when the ultraviolet rays are most fierce.
SLOP on some sunscreen before going outdoors
- Put sunscreen on any skin not covered by clothes. Frequently exposed areas are likely to get burnt easily and are the most common sites for skin cancers. e.g. bald heads, noses, tips of the ears, lips, shoulders and hands.
- Broad spectrum sunscreens block out both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens with an SPF 30+ are best. Choose one that meets the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS2604.
- Use an SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen. Apply it thickly at least 15 minutes before going outdoors.
- Reapply; do this 15 minutes after the first application to ensure complete coverage, and also after physical activity, swimming or towel drying.
- Sunscreens will protect you for only two or three hours. After that you will start to burn, even if you put more on.
SLAP on a hat with a brim or a cap with flaps. More people get burned on the face and neck than any other part of the body, so a good hat is important.
WRAP on a pair of sunglasses. Choose close fitting, wrap around glasses that meet the Australian Standard AS1067.
Sun Protection
Quick tanning preparations do not prevent sunburn, nor do tans achieved
from sunbeds or sunlamps. There is no such thing as a safe tan. A
tan is a sign that your skin is damaged, and it ages your skin. Continue
to protect yourself from UV rays even if you have a tan.
Babies should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. When they are out in the sun, use clothing and a hat for protection, and apply baby sunscreen to any exposed skin, e.g. faces or arms and legs sticking out of the pram. Sunscreens for adults should not be used on children under one year. Alcohol based sunscreens should not be used near barbecues or naked flames.
Ask us for advice on sunscreen products.
Sun Facts
- The worst time for exposure to the sun is 11am to 4pm during daylight saving hours. However protection is still important outside these hours.
- Although clouds screen out the heat, the damaging rays of the sun can still burn your skin, so protect yourself even on cloudy days.
- White surfaces such as concrete, sand and snow reflect damaging rays, so when in these areas , remember to "Be SunSmart - slip, slop, slap and wrap".
- Sun penetrates water and still burns while you swim. The sun's rays can also get through wet t-shirts.
- The wind may cool your skin but the sun can still burn you.
- The sun's rays are more intense at higher altitudes, for example, when skiing in the mountains.
- To get enough Vitamin D from the sun, most people only need 15-30 minutes exposure daily and get this going about their daily routine. A few people need more, but should still aim for exposure outside the hours of 11am to 4pm when UV is most fierce.
- Some medicines (e.g. coal tar preparations and some antibiotics) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun (photosensitivity). Talk to your Pharmacist about them and use protection when on these medicines if you plan on being outdoors.
- People with darker skin can also burn so protection is still important.
visit the "Be SunSmart" website