Be sun smart and help prevent cancer

Sun Smart - The UV Index:

To be SunSmart, it’s important to understand and be aware of what the UV Index is and how it can damage your skin.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun and man-made sources like tanning beds and welding torches. The UV index is a scale developed by the World Health Organisation which measures the UV level from the sun and gives an indication of the potential for skin damage. It is calculated in a way that indicates the risk of developing sunburn, which is mainly caused by UVB.

Overexposure to UV rays can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage (including cataracts), and skin cancer. The UV index ranges from zero upwards – the higher the number, the greater the risk. When the UV index is 3 or above, protection is required.

The UV Index moves upwards in steps starting a 0 which is low risk, to 11+ with is extreme risk

*Include UV infographic.

UV levels are influenced by many factors, including: your location (latitude and altitude), time of day, time of year, cloud cover and reflection.

UV cannot be seen or felt (infrared radiation causes heat, not UV) so you need to defend yourself against overexposure

For a daily or hourly update on the UV index where you are click here. 

Steps to prevent skin cancer

The National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2019-2022 arose from the National Cancer Strategy of 2017-2026 as a way to control the increase in cases of Ireland’s most common cancer. As the number of those being diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland is steadily on the rise, steps have been taken to make more vulnerable groups such as outdoor workers, sunbed users and those that spend greater amounts of time outdoors 

Another demographic highlighted in the prevention plan is to welfare and education of children in an effort to create SunSmart habits early, and reduce the rise of skin cancer cases in the future.

Speaking about the vulnerability of children and young people to the damaging effects of unprotected time in the sun Dr Ormond’s advice is to “enjoy the sun but be sensible. We don’t let children drink; we don’t let them smoke, nor should we allow them to go out in the sun. If that child gets burnt, that is damage starting early, so try to reduce the damage in their childhood,” 

Good sun habits

When the sun is strong or the UV index is high, you’re at risk of burning:

  • Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun’s rays are strongest
  • Cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
  • Use a sunscreen with a protection level of at least SPF 30- and 4-star UVA and UVB protection
  • Use your sunscreen generously and reapply regularly.

Shade

One of the best ways to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays is to spend some time in the shade.

You can find or create shade in many different ways. For example:

  • Stay under trees and foliage
  • Use umbrellas and parasols
  • Use canopies and awnings
  • Go indoors
  • Use tents and shelters
  • Wear wide-brimmed hats
  • Cover up.

When there's no shade around, the best way to protect your skin from the sun is to wear:

  • Loose clothing
  • A wide-brimmed hat
  • Good quality sunglasses.

Clothes

The more skin that’s covered by your clothing, the better the protection you’re getting. Look for materials with a close weave, as they will block out the most UV rays. Holding the material up to the light is a good way to see how much light and UV rays will get through.

When some of your clothes get wet, they will stretch and allow more UV rays through to your skin. This is particularly a problem for cotton clothes. A wet cotton t-shirt may only offer half the protection of a dry one.


Hats

Hats are great for protecting the face, eyes and head. Choose a wide-brimmed hat for the most protection. A ‘legionnaire’ style hat that has flaps around the ears and back of the neck, also offers good protection.


Sunglasses

When choosing sunglasses look for one of the following:

  • 'CE Mark' and British Standard (BS EN 1836:1997)
  • UV 400 label
  • 100% UV protection written on the label or sticker.

Also, make sure that your sunglasses give you protection at the side of the eye – choose wraparound styles.


Understanding UVA and UVB sun radiation

UV radiation is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It is invisible to the naked eye. These wavelengths are classified as UVA, UVB, or UVC.

Most UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach the earth.

Both UVA and UVB, however, penetrate the atmosphere and play an important role in:

  • Skin cancer
  • Premature skin aging
  • Eye damage (including cataracts).

They also affect the immune system, reducing your ability to fight off cancer and other illnesses.


Sunscreen

Sunscreens will not protect us completely from sun damage on their own. However, they can be useful for protecting the parts of skin we can’t shade or cover. This is why you should use sunscreens together with shade or clothing to avoid getting too much UV exposure.

You should buy sunscreens with a:

  • Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 (UVB protection)
  • High star rating with at least 4 stars (UVA protection)
  • UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters ‘UVA’ in a circle which indicates that it meets the EU standard.

UVB radiation

Sunscreens with higher factors don’t provide much more protection against UVB radiation. For example, an SPF15 sunscreen filters out 93% of UVB radiation, while an SPF30 sunscreen filters out 96%.

Worryingly, many people burn more frequently when they use higher factors of sunscreen because they stay out in the sun for longer. There is a concern that higher factor sunscreens may lure people into a false sense of security. You should never use sunscreen in order to spend longer in the sun. No sunscreen, no matter how high the factor, can provide 100% protection.

Many people incorrectly believe that if they put on sun-protection factor (SPF) 50 then they can stay out in the sun all day without any risk.

“The problem is that we don’t use sun-protection factors correctly. We are not getting the protection that they say we are getting. Most of us don’t put it on frequently enough, thickly enough or reapply it as needed.” Say Dr Ormond.

“We may be putting on a ‘factor 50’ and most people think it means ‘I can stay out in the sun 50-times longer’. But in fact, if you put it on the way most people put it on, you will only be getting a factor 10-15. People are not putting enough on; they are not putting it on frequently enough and they are towelling it off. This means we are getting a false sense of security,” says Dr Ormond


Tips for using sunscreen properly

No sunscreen, whether it’s factor 30 or 50, will give the protection it claims unless you apply it properly.

Make sure you put enough sunscreen on – people often apply much less than they need to, to get the full protection. When your risk of burning is high, make sure that all your exposed skin is thoroughly covered in sunscreen.

Make sure you apply your sunscreen at least 20-30 minutes before going out into the sun.

As a guide this means:

  • Around 2 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're just covering your head, arms and neck
  • Around 2 tablespoons if you're covering your entire body, while wearing a swimming costume.

Reapply sunscreen regularly- about every 2 hours. It is easily rubbed, sweated or washed off and reapplying helps avoid missing bits of skin.

  • Use sunscreen together with shade and clothing to avoiding getting caught out by sunburn.
  • Don’t be tempted to spend longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.
  • Apply sunscreen to clean, dry skin.
  • Even when sunscreens claim to be ‘water resistant’ or ‘waterproof’, you should reapply them after going in the water, especially if you have towelled dry.
  • Don’t store sunscreens in very hot places as extreme heat can ruin their protective chemicals.
  • Don’t forget to check the expiry date on your sunscreen. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2-3 years, but make sure your sunscreen has not expired before you use it.

Do I need to reapply ‘once-a-day’ sunscreens?

Some sunscreens claim to provide effective protection after just one application. But even with these sunscreens, reapplying regularly is important, because you are more likely to get even coverage and avoid missing bits that may then get burnt.

For more information on what you need to know about the sun and how it affects your skin, click here


Kindly supported by: