No matter where you live in Australia you’re likely to get some hot weather during summer. Sometimes, temperatures can even reach 40°C (104°F) and over, and stay there for days at a time! Here’s how to stay sun safe and cool during the summertime.
There are five recommended sun protection steps to take in Australia:
Slip on some clothing that covers up as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long skirts and pants offer the best protection.
Slop on some sunscreen – water-resistant, broadspectrum, SPF30+ (or higher) is best – 20 minutes before you head outdoors. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours and after you’ve been in the water.
Slap on a hat with a broad brim that will give your face, scalp, ears and neck protection from the sun.
Seek shade.
Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes against eye damage caused by UV radiation. Check if your sunnies meet the Australian Standard for Eye Protection (AS/ NZS1067), with category two protection or higher (meaning they’ll absorb more than 95% of UV radiation).
Other tips include…
Slip on some clothing that covers up as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long skirts and pants offer the best protection.
Slop on some sunscreen – water-resistant, broadspectrum, SPF30+ (or higher) is best – 20 minutes before you head outdoors. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours and after you’ve been in the water.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun – specifically, to ultraviolet (UV) light. This is why it’s important to protect yourself from the sun if you like spending time in it.
There’s a lot of information out there about skin cancer and protection, so it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to skin health. nib’s Skin Profiler offers personalised recommendations from reliable resources you can trust.
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To access this helpful information, you’ll need to answer a few confidential questions. The more details you provide, the more recommendations we can give you. Get started on your skin assessment now!
