PROTECTING YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN
5 Sun Safe Rules
. Seek shade, especially in the hottest part of the day.
. Wear sun-protective clothing that covers your back, shoulders, arms, and legs.
. Wear a broad-brimmed hat .
. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 50+ every 2 hrs and after swimming or exercise.
. Wear wrap-around sunglasses
Protecting your skin from the sun should be a priority, 95% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Light from the sun contains UV radiation which can damage your skin. It is important to remember that UV cannot be seen or felt, and cloud cover will not necessarily reduce radiation levels.
It is worthwhile downloading a SunSmart UV index app . It tells you when sun protection is needed in your local area, as well as personalised alerts to remind you when sun protection is needed.
There are some Melanomas that arise because of genetics and other factors like Melanomas under the feet, palms, nails, mouth, and eyes.
For most the sun damage occurs when the person is a child or young adult, then later in life the melanoma arrives. It could be one severe sun burn event, like with blistering, then years down the track the Melanoma declares itself.
The other skin cancers like Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Basal Cell Carcinomas occur because of ongoing sun induced damaged in those sun exposed sites.