MED:0001189663
— This website contains imagery only suitable for audiences 18+. All procedures contain risks.
— This website contains imagery only suitable for audiences 18+. All procedures contain risks.
— This website contains imagery only suitable for audiences 18+. All procedures contain risks.
— This website contains imagery only suitable for audiences 18+. All procedures contain risks.
Slip on protective clothing — long sleeves, high neck and collar, close-weave material, darker colours, and lycra or similar for swimming/water activities.
Slop on sunscreen of SPF30 or higher — broad spectrum, water resistant. Apply thoroughly at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours.
Slap on a hat — broad-brimmed, close-woven fabric — and add sunscreen and sunglasses.
Seek shade — look for trees or shade from buildings — and add suitable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Slide on sunglasses — close fitting, wrap-around, Australian Standard AS1067 with an Eye Protection Factor (EPF) of 9 or more.
| How it works | Type | Example ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Scatters UV radiation | Physical | Zinc Oxide, Titanium Oxide |
| Absorbs UV radiation | Chemical | Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor |
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) reflects how long skin takes to redden compared with using no protection. If unprotected skin burns in 10 minutes, SPF30 gives roughly 300 minutes and SPF50 roughly 500 minutes — though skin type, UV level, swimming, sweating and towel-drying all change this considerably. UVA and UVB are the two types of harmful UV radiation; broad-spectrum sunscreens offer the best protection against both.
Apply thoroughly to clean, dry skin 20 minutes before exposure to UV light.
Use an SPF30+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.
Reapply at least every 2 hours.
Reapply more frequently if swimming, playing sport, sweating or towel-drying.
SPF is the Sun Protection Factor — it reflects how much longer protected skin takes to redden versus no protection. SPF30 on skin that burns in 10 minutes gives roughly 300 minutes.
UVA and UVB are the two types of harmful UV radiation from the sun. Broad-spectrum sunscreens offer the best protection against both.
Reapply at least every 2 hours, and more often if swimming, playing sport, sweating or towel-drying.