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Get involved in Summer 2011–2012: Love Your Body Blog Carnival

 

We are asking bloggers in Australia who write about fashion, beauty and health issues to get involved in our Love Your Body Blog Carnival. Tanning is a sign of your skin cells in trauma from too much exposure to UV rays - yet there is an unrelenting push from the fashion and beauty industries to young Australians creating the perception that tanned skin is beautiful. Encourage your readers and followers to embrace their natural skin colour and complexion by getting behind our cause. 

Ways to become involved

Below are just a few starting points for ways to become involved.  Of course pick what's right for you, your blog and your readers.

1. Got some spare advertising space on your blog? Consider donating SunSmart blog 'space' by adding the SunSmart widget to your website or blog to help remind people about the sun protection times each day. Get the Widget here.
2. Consider writing a post on your thoughts on pale skin? Is it the new tan? Are you pale, how does it make you feel? Share your thoughts.
3. If you were asked to style a beach fashion spread with a SunSmart twist (for example including clothing with long sleeves and accessories like sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats) what would your take be?
4. How do you stay safe in the sun?
5. Review the SunSmart app for smart phones. What’s your thoughts on it? Do you use it? Would you recommend others to? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Did you know?

How the media portray skin colour has a huge impact on the tanning behaviours of young people. Recent research by Cancer Council examined the influence of popular women’s magazines on the tanning attitudes and behaviours on Australian female teenagers and young adults. The study found that with greater exposure to tanned models in women’s magazines, women of all ages were more likely to attempt to get a tan themselves.

Tanning preferences have changed considerably over time and the dark tan aspirations of the 80s have been left behind. However, in 2010, 57% of Victorian teenagers surveyed still desired a tan and 36% wanted a very dark tan highlighting that there is still a lot of work to do. Each time skin is exposed to UV radiation, changes take place in the structure and function of our skin cells. Our skin remembers and records all the UV exposure ever received – all the sunburns, tans, solarium visits or just simple day-to-day time spent outdoors when sun protection has not been used. It all adds up and increases the long-term risk of skin cancer. Sunburn and tanning at any age can cause permanent and irreversible skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. Yet skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in Australia. Protecting your skin when UV is at damaging levels with sunscreen, clothing, a hat, sunnies and shade can minimise freckling, wrinkling and ageing of the skin and ultimately reduce the skin cancer risk.

For more information on skin cancer and skin cancer prevention visit here.

Fast facts

1. It is believed that as high as 80% of facial ageing, like wrinkles and fine lines, is due to sun exposure.
2. In Australia, just 11 minutes in the sun is sometimes all it takes for your skin to burn.
3. Using a solarium before the age of 35 increases your risk of skin cancer by 75 to 98%, when compared to someone who has never been to a solarium.

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