Thursday 17/12/14
In several blog entries I have touched on the topic of protecting yourself from the sun, but this week I'm going to provide specific advice on the subject. There's no denying it, summer is here. The days are long and hot, and the nights are only a little cooler than the days. Currently in Australia, we are regularly experiencing temperatures well in excess of 30 degrees Celsius. Despite the constant warnings in the media since the "Slip, Slop, Slap" campaign began in 1981, I still see a lot of sunburnt people walking around shirtless in the midday sun. Australia has the one of the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world and the number of new cases continues to rise.
Anyone can develop skin cancer, but you can drastically reduce your chances of getting it by following the simple steps:
- Wear sunscreen with at least a 30+ SPF (Sun Protection Factor). The higher the SPF, the better protection from UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim. If getting sunburt doesn't bother you, I'll appeal to your vanity. Repeated sunburn damages your skin and gives you wrinkles.
- Wear a long sleeved shirt. There are plenty of lightweight shirts available that will let a breeze through. Remember, dark coloured materials absorb more heat than light colours.
- Wear sunglasses. Not only will they will protect your eyes from the sun, you won't squint as much, delaying the appearance of crows-feet.
- Avoid the midday sun. The sun is at its hottest, and the UV rays are at their strongest when the sun is directly overhead.
- Drink plenty of water. This won't prevent you from getting sunburnt, but it will keep you hydrated and help minimize the effects of heatstroke.
Do you regularly carry a backpack? If so, you should consider carrying a small tube of sunscreen (you can purchase tiny tubes of 30mL – that's half the size of a chocolate bar) and a floppy hat. I have a wide brimmed bucket hat that folds down very small and easily fits in my backpack. The hat isn't exactly stylish, but I've been grateful for it when I've been unexpectedly caught in the sun.
There's no avoiding it, we all have to venture out in the sun. But, we have the knowledge to reduce the amount of damage caused by long term exposure to the sun; thereby minimizing the risk of skin cancer.
For further information regarding sun protection I have included the link to the Cancer Council of Australia below.
http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/reduce-risks/sun-protection/be-sunsmart/