Gone are the days when people go to the beach hoping to get burnt in the hope of eventually getting a great tan. These days, it is common knowledge that too much sunburn may equal skin cancer and premature aging. Causes The sun has two types of ultraviolet radiation important in a discussion of damaging effects to the skin.
Prevention The best way to prevent sunburn is to limit your exposure to direct sunlight, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Take a look at your shadow: If it's shorter than your height, stay under cover. Other than that, don't forget to 'Slip Slop, Slap'. Sunscreen - or the “Slop” component of the slogan should be a vital part of your protection against the sun’s UV rays. But how much do you actually know about the sunscreens you use and how they actually work? Why sunscreen is important Clothing, hats and shade are the best methods for protecting skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Any remaining exposed skin can be protected by applying sunscreen. It is important not to rely on sunscreen as the only form of sun protection. No sunscreen offers 100% protection from UV radiation. How sunscreen works Sunscreen filters out a percentage of UV radiation before it reaches the skin. The ingredients in sunscreen absorb UV radiation and can also scatter or reflect UV radiation away from the body, depending on the type. Broad spectrum sunscreen filters both UVA and UVB radiation. All sunscreen products sold in Australia have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as safe and effective. Sun Protection Factor ( SPF) SPF stands for sun protection factor and is used to quantify the UV protection that sunscreen can provide. The protection factor indicates how much UV is blocked. For example, something with a PF rating of 20 would only allow 1/20 th of the hazardous UV to pass through. This means that UV exposure would be reduced by a factor of 20. Stated another way, 95% of the UV rays would be blocked and only 5% transmitted through to your skin. Sun Protection Factor or SPF is a measure of the protection provided by sunscreens. SPF is the ratio of the UV dose that is required to produce a perceptible reddening of the skin treated with sunscreen compared to untreated skin. Use of sunscreen of at least SPF 15 is recommended for any areas of the body exposed to UVR. Currently the highest SPF for sunscreen available in Australia is SPF 30+. The SPF 30+ rating has been set by Standards Australia, which is satisfied that current testing practices can reliably measure up to this level only. It is important to remember that no matter what the stated SPF rating, no sunscreen product available provides 100% protection against UV radiation and some UV rays will still always reach the skin, no matter how much or for how long the sunscreen is applied. Which sunscreens are the most effective? The most effective sunscreens are labeled SPF 30+, broad spectrum and water resistant. Sunscreen which is broad spectrum and has an SPF rating filters out both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ provides very high protection against UVB rays. Water resistant sunscreen protects the skin during swimming and physical activity provided it is not wiped off. Choosing a sunscreen product
Applying sunscreen For best protection:
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin damage, ageing, wrinkling, sunburn and skin cancer. Broad spectrum s unscreen can effectively block the majority of UV radiation reaching your skin. However, it should be used as a last line of defence after other methods of protection such as clothing, hats and shade. It’s important to remember that sunscreen shouldn’t be used in order to stay out in the sun longer, but as a way to reduce the risk of skin damage when exposure to the sun is unavoidable. Here are a few key questions about sunscreens answered. How do sunscreens work? Sunscreens filter out most of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching your skin. Sunscreens contain two main types of active ingredients: 1. Chemical barrier - the active ingredients absorb UV radiation and then release the energy as heat. This neutralises the UV radiation. Different active ingredients absorb mostly ultraviolet B radiation or ultraviolet A radiation. Some ingredients absorb both. 2. Physical barrier - the active ingredients reflect or scatter ultraviolet radiation. These ingredients block both ultraviolet Aand B radiation. Sunscreens with these ingredients are often thicker and can leave a white film on the skin. Some sunscreens contain both absorbing and reflecting/scattering ingredients to further increase protection. What’s in a sunscreen? You can buy sunscreen as a cream, lotion or gel. All work equally well. Choose the one you prefer and which best suits your skin type. Alcohol-based sunscreens are less sticky and slippery, which may be better in water based activities, and they dry quicker than a milky lotion or a cream, but may sting sensitive skin. Not all sunscreens contain the same ingredients. If your skin reacts to one sunscreen, talk to a pharmacist or doctor about choosing another with different chemicals. We don’t have any data on the long-term effects of using a sunscreen every day. Recent research is suggesting that sunscreens both decrease the risk of some skin cancers; and for people who have already been treated for some skin cancers, regular sunscreen use increases the time until another diagnosis. The health benefits to be gained from the regular use of sunscreen (together with clothing, hat and shade) considerably outweigh any problems that the sunscreen chemicals might cause. But where you have a choice between clothing and sunscreen, clothing should be your first option because generally you will be far better protected. What does “broad-spectrum” mean? UV radiation comes in different forms. All sunscreens with an SPF number will filter out the UVB part of ultraviolet radiation. Those labelled “broad-spectrum” will filter out some of the UVA as well as UVB. We have known for some time that UVB causes skin cancer, but recent evidence suggests that UVA also causes in the short term burning, fragility and scarring and in the longer term photoageing (ie. wrinkles). A broad-spectrum sunscreen is recommended. Do I need to buy an expensive sunscreen to get the best protection? No. Price doesn’t always indicate quality. You simply need a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF 30+ rating. All sunscreens with a SPF 30+ rating will, if applied correctly, give you good protection. What is the shelf life of sunscreen? All sunscreens are required to include the expiry date and storage conditions on the label. Most sunscreens will last about two or three years and should be stored at a temperature less than 25°C. Sunscreens vary considerably in their ability to survive heat undamaged, but if you leave a sunscreen in excessive heat (for instance, in the glove-box of a hot car or in the sun on the beach), you run the risk that the product will deteriorate over time. Try keeping it with the drinks! Is sun protection recommended during winter? Our bodies require small amounts of exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight to make sufficient quantities of vitamin D. During the winter months, the levels of ultraviolet radiation may be very low, depending on where you are situated – even in the middle of the day. For this reason, The Cancer Council does not recommend the use of hats or sunscreen during winter in cold climate areas. People who may need to continue sun protection in the winter months include those people with highly sun-sensitive skin; a history of skin cancer; outdoor workers; and those living in tropical areas. Are sunscreens safe? The chemicals used in sunscreens available in Australia have been tested and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as being both safe and effective. In addition to sunscreening agents however, sunscreen also contains preservatives and may also contain fragrances. If you find that you have a reaction such as skin irritation, stinging or development of a rash, it is recommended that you try another brand or look for products which are fragrance free, labeled as suitable for sensitive skin, for toddlers and products that contain inorganic chemicals only. Products containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide may be the most suitable. What About The Baby? Infants under 6 months should be kept out of the sun as much as possible, thereby avoiding the need to use sunscreen. However there may be times when this is not possible. In such situations sunscreen may be applied to areas such as the face, ears and hands if these areas cannot be protected with wraps. But Don’t Some Sunscreen Ingredients Cause Cancer? There is also no scientific evidence linking potential carcinogenic effects as a result of the chemicals contained in sunscreen. Which Sunscreens Do Pharmeasy Pharmacists Use and Recommend?
For Babies?
For Sensitive Skin?
For the face? John Plunkett Protective Day Moisturiser – Broad Spectrum. At SPF 25, this is one of the highest SPFs available in a moisturiser that isn’t greasy and actually provides true moisturizing and anti-aging capabilities. Formulated to be the ultimate day moisturiser for Australian women, it provides your skin with a high level of protection and hydration to counteract the photoageing and drying effects of our harsh climate. Protective Day Moisturiser SPF 25 has a unique four way defensive action with structure repair from cross-linked elastin, free radical capture from the antioxidant Vitamins A,C and E, tissue rehydration from powerful natural moisturizers and broad spectrum SPF 25 sunscreens stopping the photoageing impact of UVA and UVB rays. Your precious skin will keep looking younger for longer. – As seen on Mornings with Kerry Ann. |
If you have any questions about our sunscreen range, please give us a call today - obligation free - on 1300 765 888. |