health04 sunday

november 15

A llow time for sunscreen to work. Ideally, put on your first layer for the day 20 to 30 minutes before going into the sun so it has

time to settle into and bond to the skin.

Babies can use sunscreen, too. The Cancer Council of Australia advises that as much skin as possible be covered with clothing or a wrap,

and then a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen applied to small areas of the skin that can’t be protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, neck and hands. Many brands make a baby- or toddler-friendly formula that works well for adults with sensitive skin, too. The Cancer Council of Australia recommends keeping babies out of the sun as much as possible for the first 12 months, while the Australian College of Dermatologists recommends that babies and toddlers be well protected by other forms of sun protection, such as shade and clothing.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens filter both UVA and UVB radiation (see “U”). No sunscreen product can rightly claim to be “anti-ageing” unless it is broad spectrum.

Cosmetics don’t usually cut it in the sun-protection stakes, even lipstick and foundation. Some cosmetics claim they have sun

protection, but without a sun protection (SPF) rating on the label, this may be as low as SPF 4 (see “P”). For best protection, use a dedicated sunscreen (SPF 30+) as a moisturiser under your make-up, or use an SPF-rated make-up, such as Invisible Zinc’s Tinted Daywear.

D imethicone is a form of silicone used in many moisturisers. When combined with microfine zinc, the dimethicone forms a barrier

to help prevent zinc from penetrating the skin or reacting with light in ways that can be harmful. Micronised dimethicone zinc sunscreens are expensive, but they’re the best protection against the ageing effects of the sun.

Eyes are easily irritated by sunscreen. Keep cream away from eyes and use UVA- and UVB-protective sunglasses.

Expiry date. All sunscreens should have one. Most sunscreens are effective for two to three years.

Fake tans do nothing to protect you from the sun. Some have sunscreen in them, but this only works for two hours after you put it on.

G el-formula sunscreens work best if you don’t want sunscreen residue on your hands.

H eat exposure will make sunscreen less effective. Store sunscreen below 30 degrees.

K ill coral. Your sunscreen could do this, according to international studies that show how four common ingredients in sunscreens

kill algae that is vital to corals. Hayman Island

Resort has followed the lead of Mexican reef operators and now encourages guests to use “coral-friendly sunscreen”.

Maximum UV levels occur between 11am and 3pm daylight saving time (10am to 2pm non-DST). On sunny

days, avoid the sun or make sure you’re well-protected during this time.

Optimal amount of sunscreen for an adult is a bit over half a teaspoon (three millilitres) to each arm and the face, neck and

ears, and just more than one teaspoon (about six millilitres) to each leg, front and back of the body (39 millilitres for the full body).

P rotection from the sun’s radiation is measured in terms of SPF factor. An SPF 30 product will permit one-30th of the sunburning energy through it

in the same time as it would take to suffer a minimal sunburn without any protection. SPF 30+ products let through about 3.3 per cent of UV radiation. SPF 30+ is the highest rating allowed in Australia.

R eapply sunscreen every two hours (regardless of what the label says), as

it can be easily rubbed or sweated off.

Shade won’t protect you completely from the sun because up to 50 per cent of UV rays

are indirect and reflected from non-absorbent surfaces such as concrete or sand. Sitting in the shade on a beach may still mean up to 33 per cent of UV rays reach your skin.

The A–Z of sunscreens

Nanoparticles were a major scientific

breakthrough that made sunscreen invisible when rubbed into the skin, but some groups worry that the particles are so fine that they are absorbed through the skin and become toxic in the body. In July, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said it was satisfied that the nanoparticles remain in the outer, dead layers of the skin. If you’re concerned, brands such as Invisible Zinc, Banana Boat, Cancer Council and Le Tan have new formulas that are “nano-free”.

[ [of UV rays are indirect and reflected from non-absorbent surfaces. Sitting in the shade on a beach may still mean up to 33 per cent of UV rays reach your skin 50%

Up to

Z inc oxide has always been superior to other sunscreen active ingredients as it is hypoallergenic and provides protection against a broader spectrum of UV radiation, including

long-wave UVA. Although modern, microfine zinc oxide is “invisible”, cricketers and other athletes still love the old thick, greasy, white zinc cream because if they can still see it, they know it hasn’t been rubbed or sweated off.

05 sundaynovember 15

The A–Z of sunscreensT itanium dioxide is a prime

ingredient in many sunscreens. It absorbs and reflects UVA and UVB radiation.

UVA radiation is the major cause of skin damage that develops over time, such as wrinkling and sagging. For protection,

you need more than just sunscreen. Use topical antioxidants and ferulic acid to boost your elastin and collagen, so that your connective tissue feeds and supports the outer layers of skin.

UVB radiation is the primary cause of sunburn and mainly affects the outer layers of the skin.

V itamin D helps to prevent cancer and is produced in response to UVB radiation. In winter, two to three hours of sun exposure a

week is sufficient for vitamin D. When UV levels are high, most people get enough vitamin D through normal activity, even with sun protection.

Waterproof sunscreens are the go if you’re active, as they are less likely to sweat off than standard sunscreens.

Don’t know your uVA from your uVb? finD out eVerything you neeD to know in this rounD-up of sun cAre. by Dominic cadden

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ln See page 21 for our real-life story on battling melanoma.