Sunscreen is a must every day

SLAP on the sunscreen every day, experts now tell us.

We are exposed to sunlight in so many ways – and not all of it is due to sunbaking.

“In Australia, we get a lot of incidental sun exposure from everyday activities such as walking to the bus stop or train station, or hanging out washing,” QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute’s Associate Professor Rachel Neale said.

Critcially, she reminds us the DNA damage that causes skin cancer and melanoma accumulates with repeated small doses of sunlight.

The recommendation is to apply sunscreen every morning before heading out the door when the maximum UV level is forecast to be three or higher.

“For much of Australia, that means people should apply sunscreen all year round, but in areas like Tasmania and Victoria there are a few months over winter when sunscreen is not required,” Prof Neale added.

The easiest way to do this? Brush your teeth, brush your hair, apply the sunscreen; every day.

And, if you are staying outdoors for any length of time, wear a hat, protective clothing, sunglasses and reapply the suncreen every two hours.

For those seniors concerned about what effect sunscreen could have on them, Terry Slevin from the Public Health Association of Australia said: “There is consistent and compelling evidence that sunscreens are safe, and reactions occur in a very low proportion of the population.

“Importantly, clinical trials have found that people who use sunscreen daily have the same levels of vitamin D as those who don’t.”