Sunscreen

No sunscreen will completely shield you from the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). You can still burn, especially if you have sensitive skin. Sunscreen use should not be the only or even the primary line of protection against the sun. It should be used with other sun safety behaviours, including covering up and seeking shade.

Behaviours for sunscreen safety

  • Use additional forms of sun protection: avoid the sun from 11 am to 4 pm during daylight saving months; wear a hat and clothing; wear sunglasses and stay in the shade if you can.
  • Using an SPF30+ (or any sunscreen) should not be used to increase the amount of time you spend in the sun.
  • Whatever the SPF, apply adequate amounts of broad spectrum sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside, and then again immediately before going outside, and re-apply regularly, especially if swimming or sweating a lot.

How much protection does sunscreen give?

The protection a sunscreen offers is affected by:

  • its sun protection factor (SPF) rating
  • how well and how thickly you apply it 
  • how long is spent in the sun
  • skin type
  • when the sunscreen is applied
  • the time of day
  • time of year 
  • weather.

No matter how high the SPF rating, no sunscreen can block out all UVR. All sunscreens are filters allowing some UVR through to the skin. The higher the SPF, the smaller the amount of UVR that gets through. The longer the time spent in the sun, the more the UVR accumulates until enough UVR is absorbed to cause burning. Sunscreen’s protectiveness is not affected by the length of time it has been on the skin, but it is affected by ‘wear and tear’ over time. Even if you’re not very active, sunscreen can rub off gradually and, therefore, needs to be re-applied regularly to top it up. This applies particularly to children because of their active lifestyle.

SPF

SPF is a rating of what percentage of UV rays the sunscreen protects you from. For example: SPF 30+ allows one in every 30 rays in, offering 97% protection. The higher the SPF, the more UV rays are filtered and the greater the protection. Because of the number of factors involved, (eg time of the year, time of day and skin type) the SPF is not precise, but gives a general guide to sun protection.

The highest rating a sunscreen can claim is SPF30+, broad spectrum under the Australia/NZ AS/NZS2604 sunscreen standard.

Broad spectrum

A broad spectrum sunscreen gives extra protection because it screens out much of the UVA shorter wave length radiation as well as UVB.

Water resistance

A water resistance claim of two hours means the sunscreen should retain its full SPF protection even after two hours in the water. However, it is wise to re-apply sunscreen after any water sports.

Applying sunscreen

Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure to allow it time to dry and be absorbed into the skin. Spread it on to exposed skin thickly and evenly. If it’s put on too thinly the protection is lessened and it won’t work as well.

Re-applying sunscreen

Sunscreens need re-applying to remain protective. However, re-applying sunscreen does not reduce UVR already received.

Reduce sun exposure

UVR accumulates and can damage the skin even when you’re wearing a sunscreen and before burning is visible. Reduce your daily sun exposure as much as possible and in particular avoid the sun (even if using a sunscreen) between 11am – 4pm during daylight saving months. Sunscreens should not be used to increase the amount of time spent in the sun.

Sunscreen slows down further UVR accumulation and if burning has already occurred, it will only lessen the severity of further burning. Re-apply sunscreen every hour or more if you are swimming or sweating a lot.