With summer coming up we Australians can look forward to beautiful clear skies, glistening beaches and an array of ice-creams, smoothies and slushies to help us beat the heat. Unfortunately, it’s not all good news. Summer also brings dangerously high UV levels which are a threat to our skin and health.
But being proactive about your skin protection means you can enjoy all that the season has to offer while remaining safe.
Read (and follow) our skin cancer prevention tips below and relax this summer (and year-round).
1. Stay informed
This step’s easy — you can do it right here on the blog! Being informed about skin cancer is one of the most important steps in preventing it. Browse through some of our previous blog posts to learn more about skin cancer prevention, causes, and facts.
You can also find a range of resources on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website, or sign up for their monthly newsletter to get the latest on skin cancer prevention every month.
2. Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide
Slip on some sun-protective clothing!
If you don’t have one already, head out shopping this weekend and treat yourself to a rashie. They’ve come a long way since you were a kid, rashies today aren’t just oversized rubber blue shirts but come in a range of stylish colours and cuts!
Being sun safe has never looked this good.
Slop on some sunscreen!
On this blog, we’re serious about sunscreen. You’ll want to find a sunscreen that’s water resistant and SPF50+. We know sunscreen gets a bad rep and the wrong one can leave you feeling seriously sticky (gross!). Thankfully, we know all the good ones and how to spot a sunscreen on the shelves that suits you.
Alcohol based is great because it dries quickly, but if you’re worried about getting dry skin there are plenty that feel just like moisturiser. Read about the most highly recommended and rated facial sunscreens here and full-body sunscreens here.
You’ll need one teaspoon each for your head, face, neck, each arm, leg, front and back of torso. Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure, and every two hours after that.
Slap on a hat!
The bigger the better. We recommend a broad brim hat for style and safety (no, wearing a cap is not ‘just as good’).
Seek shade!
Beach umbrellas are a staple for good reason. Sourcing out shade allows you to enjoy all the beautiful sunny views without being left burnt and sweaty.
Slide on some sunnies!
Safety first, style second when it comes to sunglasses. Protecting your eyes from UV damage is a serious deal. Look out for sunnies which meet Australian standards first, then pick a style you like. Not sure what we mean by ‘Australian standards’ or how to look out for them? Take a look at this info sheet by SunSmart.
3. Skip the tan
You might think a tan is cute, but a cancerous mole definitely isn’t. Lying around in the sun opens yourself up to all types of skin damage — and a tanning bed can be even worse.
4. Check your skin
We say this on almost every blog post, and we’ll say it again! Check your skin!
When it comes to skin cancer, catching it early is the difference between a cancer scare and a true disaster. We recommend checking your skin every three or four months. If you are at risk, or see something you think is suspicious, get a professional to take a look.
