Top 10 FAQs
If you can't find the answer the a question that you have below, head to our FAQs section and see if you can find what you are looking for there.
- How can I ensure I am protected from the sun's UV rays?
- What's the best way to get my skin checked? Should I see my local doctor or go to a skin clinic or specialist?
- Does a tan naturally protect you from the sun?
- If I get a 'base tan' from a solarium before summer starts, will it help to stop me burning?
- I have heard SunSmart doesn't allow children to go outside and play in the middle of the day. Is this true?
- Are nanoparticles in sunscreen increasing my risk of skin cancer?
- Is it possible to get sunburnt on cloudy or cool days?
- How can I be sure I am getting enough vitamin D?
- Can SunSmart sponsor our event by providing free sunscreen and shade structures?
- Will I become vitamin D deficient if I use sun protection?
QUESTION 1: How can I ensure I am protected from the sun's UV rays?
Check the UV Alert each day or on the free SunSmart app for smart phones.
During the sun protection times, use a combination of the five SunSmart steps:
- Slip on sun protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible.
- Slop on SPF 30+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen liberally at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours when outdoors.
- Slap on a broad brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears.
- Seek shade.
- Slide on sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1067:2003.
If no alert and no sun protection times are issued, the UV is predicted to be below 3, so aim for 20 minutes outside in the midday winter sun. Ensure as much skin as possible is exposed by wearing short sleeves or shorts – the more skin you have exposed to the sun, the more vitamin D you'll make, so roll up those sleeves.
QUESTION 2: What's the best way to get my skin checked? Should I see my local doctor or go to a skin clinic or specialist?
It is best to go to your local doctor to get your skin checked. They can assess your skin spots and monitor changes. If necessary, your local doctor can refer you to a skin specialist for further assessment and treatment.
SunSmart does not recommend any individual skin check service providers or skin cancer clinics and does not run skin clinics. We do provide prevention and early detection information and support to all Victorians.
Download Consumer guide to skin clinics to read the main points to consider when choosing or using a skin clinic.
QUESTION 3: Does a tan naturally protect you from the sun?
A tan offers very limited sun protection, usually similar to an SPF 4 sunscreen depending on your skin type, which is much lower than the recommended rating of SPF 30+.
A tan does not protect against DNA damage or premature ageing. It is a sign that your skin cells are trying to protect themselves from UV damage. It is not a sign of good health.
QUESTION 4: If I get a ‘base tan' from a solarium before summer starts, will it help to stop me burning?
Solariums emit UV radiation that is up to six times stronger than the midday sun.
Research shows that using solariums before the age of 35 boosts the risk of melanoma by 75%.
There is no such thing as a safe tan – a tan is a sign of your skin cells in trauma.
QUESTION 5: I have heard SunSmart doesn't allow children to go outside and play in the middle of the day. Is this true?
Most of the sun's UV radiation reaches us during the middle part of the day. During this time period, UV levels are most intense. We advise carers/teachers to be mindful of peak UV times and try scheduling outdoor activities in the mornings or afternoons (if possible), when the UV is not as intense.
Active, outdoor play is important for health and development. Outdoor activities are safe as long as time spent in direct sunlight is minimised whenever possible – plenty of shade, combined with the use of appropriate hats, clothing and sunscreen help to protect children from getting sunburnt and tanned.
SunSmart recommends applying sunscreen every two hours so that you can be sure it has a good chance of providing the best level of protection. It's an important lesson to teach children that before they go outdoors, they must grab their hat and apply sunscreen. Children can learn to apply their own sunscreen and could be matched up with a sunscreen buddy to help them.
QUESTION 6: Are nanoparticles in sunscreen increasing my risk of skin cancer?
Nanotechnology has been used in sunscreens for many years. Sunscreen formulas and their components are regulated through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In early 2009, the TGA conducted an updated review of the scientific literature in relation to the use of nanoparticulate zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreens. The TGA review concluded that the potential for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens to cause adverse effects depends primarily upon the ability of the nanoparticles to reach viable skin cells. To date, the current weight of evidence, as reviewed by the TGA suggests that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles do not reach viable skin cells; rather, they remain on the surface of the skin and in the outer layer of the skin that is composed of non-viable cells.
Cancer Council looks closely at TGA's advice, as well as our own evidence-based reviews.
To date, Cancer Council's assessment, drawing on the best available evidence, is that nanoparticulates used in sunscreens do not pose a risk to the user but continues to review the research.
For further information and to view Cancer Council's position on chemicals in sunscreen, see the section about nanoparticles on our website.
QUESTION 7: Is it possible to get sunburnt on cloudy or cool days?
Sunburn is caused by UV radiation not temperature therefore even on a cooler day in summer, the UV level can be intense. You can also get sunburnt on cloudy days, as UV radiation can penetrate some clouds, and may even be more intense due to reflection from the bottom of the clouds.
Check the SunSmart UV Alert every day and protect your skin when UV levels are 3 or above, even when you are in the sun for short periods.
The UV Alert is available as a SunSmart app, on the SunSmart website, and in the weather section of the daily newspapers.
QUESTION 8: How can I be sure I am getting enough vitamin D?
Vitamin D helps to develop and maintain healthy bones, and UV radiation from the sun is one of the best sources for vitamin D.
From September to April, average UV levels are 3 and above in Victoria, which is enough to cause skin and eye damage and skin cancer. During these months, most Victorians need just a few minutes of sun exposure mid-morning or mid-afternoon to the face, arms, hands or equivalent area, to help with vitamin D levels. Be extra cautious in the middle of the day when UV levels are most intense. People with naturally very dark skin may need 3 to 6 times this amount.
From May to August UV levels are generally low (below 3) in Victoria so sun protection is not needed unless near highly reflective surfaces such as snow, outside for extended periods or when the UV reaches 3 and above.
During these months, most Victorians need between two and three hours of midday winter sun exposure spread over each week to the face, arms, hands or equivalent area to help with vitamin D levels. People with naturally very dark skin may need 3 to 6 times this amount.
People with naturally very dark skin, babies and infants of vitamin D deficient mothers (especially breastfed babies), people with little or no sun exposure such as those who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons, older Victorians and people who are housebound or in institutional care are at risk of being low in vitamin D or deficient.
If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, visit your doctor. Levels can be checked with a simple blood test and other options such as supplements. Never try to boost vitamin D levels at any time of the year through excessive UV exposure or through using solariums as both are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
Check out the free SunSmart app that allows users to find out if they are getting enough sun from May to August to help with vitamin D levels and alerts the user of their daily sun protection needs.
QUESTION 9: Can SunSmart sponsor our event by providing free sunscreen and shade structures?
SunSmart is a program run by Cancer Council Victoria, a not for profit organisation, and as such do not have a large amount of resources available to sponsor events.
If you are seeking free sunscreen the distributors of Cancer Council sunscreen, Skin Health, do provide donations of sunscreen to community and charity events each year, at their discretion. If your request is successful, you are likely to receive a pump pack for a registration table or key location at the event. You can submit a sponsorship application at Skin Health's website.
If you are seeking shade structures, while SunSmart does not have the resources to provide them, we do have a list of possible shade grants that is updated annually on our website. Go to shade funding suggestions for more information. We can provide information about natural and built shade. Check out our online shade audit tool to choose the most appropriate shade for your setting and download the booklet Shade for everyone: a practical guide for shade development for further information.
Whether you are looking for sunscreen, shade or advice, event organisers can find the information they need to create a sun safe event on our handy tips for event planners information page.
QUESTION 10: Will I become vitamin D deficient if I use sun protection?
Sensible sun protection does not put people at risk of vitamin D deficiency. When UV levels are 3 and above, most people get enough vitamin D through normal activity, even with sun protection. Prolonged use of sunscreen has been shown to not affect long term vitamin D levels – this is because most people generally do not apply enough sunscreen and often forget to reapply.
In summer, just a few minutes of sun exposure outside peak UV periods provides adequate vitamin D. During winter, most Victorians need between two to three hours of midday winter sun exposure spread over each week to the face, arms, hands or equivalent area to help with vitamin D levels. People with naturally very dark skin need 3 to 6 times this amount of exposure.
For more information, visit the vitamin D section of our website.
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