Sun protection

Prevention is better than cure. By regularly and correctly using sun protection whenever outdoors, you can:

• minimise freckling, wrinkling and ageing of the skin 
• minimise the risk of eye damage
• avoid sunburn; sunburn at any age, whether serious or mild, can cause permanent and irreversible skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer
• reduce your lifetime ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure; reducing lifetime exposure to UV by 20% is estimated to result in about one third fewer cases of skin cancer in Australia
• ultimately reduce your skin cancer risk.

Protect yourself in five ways from skin cancer: Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! Slide!

1. Slip on sun protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible.

2. Slop on SPF 30+ broad spectrum sunscreen liberally to dry skin, at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours when outdoors.

3. Slap on a broad brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears.

4. Seek shade

5. Slide on sunglasses.

Download Being SunSmart in Australia [pdf 87K] for general information about skin cancer and when and how to be SunSmart.

FAQs about sun protection

Our evidence shows that people are still burning because they are not using sun protection well. Dispel some of the common misconceptions about sun protection.

When do I need sun protection?

Find tips for times and places where people commonly get sunburnt, such as working outdoors, the beach or pool, during sport, in the car, in alpine areas or at outdoor events.

When is it safe to be outside without sun protection?

There are times of the year, especially in the southern states of Australia, when sun protection may not be needed.

Sun protection for people with naturally very dark skin

Do people with naturally dark skin need to worry about sun exposure? Do they need to use sun protection? The answer is yes, but they may not need to wear sunscreen.

Tanning and solariums

A tan, from the sun or solarium, is a sign that your skin is trying to protect itself from UV radiation. Solariums use UV radiation to give people a tan.

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