Sizing guides | Fitting goggles | Sun safety - sunscreens | Sun safety - UV clothing

Sun and UV protection for babies, children and adults.

Sun Protection Glossary ...for everybody under the sun.

EPF: (Eye protection factor) Measurement of the percentage of UVA and UVB rays blocked by sunglasses. An EPF of 95-100% is desirable in order to prevent cumulative sun damage.

Hypo allergenic. Less likely to cause allergic reactions or rashes.

SPF: Stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a rating which helps determine how long people with different skin types can stay in the sun without being sunburned.

Sunscreen: another name for a product which provides sun protection

Sweat Resistant: Lotion that dries quickly to a non-sticky finish and will continue to provide protection even when perspiring.

Sun Block: Forms a layer over the skin that physically scatters the suns rays – effectively a ‘physical block’. Usually composed of minerals which make the cream feel thicker when applying.

UPF: Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Rating which defines the level of protection clothing gives from UVA and UVB rays. Fabric is tested using a spectrophotometer and the rating is usually written as 15+, 30+, 50+ or 100+. The higher the rating the more protective the material.

UV: Ultraviolet Radiation emitted from the sun.

UVA Rays: The main culprit in ageing skin. 90-95% of the rays reaching the earth are estimated to be UVA. May cause long term damage including aging, wrinkling and skin cancer. Can damage skin through glass.

UVB Rays: Partially absorbed by the ozone layer these short, high energy, rays can cause sunburn and skin cancer.

UVC Rays: Almost wholly absorbed by the Ozone layer - as yet. These would be the most harmful rays if these rays were able to reach the earth’s surface.

Water Resistant: Sunscreens that do not wash off for up to 80 minutes in the water, so continue to provide the same protection in or out of the water.

Safe in the Sun. ...for everybody under the sun

Enjoying the sunshine is something almost all of us look forward to. By the pool, on the beach or in the park, sunshine relaxes us, activates vitamin D, kills certain germs and elevates our mood – wonderful – don’t you wish you were there now!

But the sun can be dangerous if we don’t take care. Over exposure to the sun, particularly for children and young people, can increase the risk of cancer in later life; precautions need to be taken to avoid sun burn and long term, irreparable, skin damage.

So how can we enjoy the sun safely? Advice from various health groups suggests:

Avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm when the UV rays are strongest. A general rule suggests that if you can’t see your shadow, stay out of the sun.
Cover up in the sun. Dress in lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs. Consider purchasing clothing with a recognised ultraviolet protection factor.
Wear a wide brim, or legionnaire style hat to protect head, neck, face and shoulders.
Wear sunglasses with an Eye Protective Factor of 95% or above.
Apply sunscreen suitable for skin type to all exposed areas, at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sun Protection Factor should be a minimum of 15.

Links: Sun Safe Spots on the web.

The Cancer Council Australia
Read the councils statements on reducing risks from sun exposure. They reference all their statements if you like to look at the science.

L’Oreal have an area on their site that covers the science of sun protection. Well illustrated, interesting to read and easy to understand.
www.sunsmart.com.au Sound advice for everybody under the sun.

All about Sunscreen

Sunscreen applications work by preventing harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun penetrating the skin surface and damaging underlying cells.

What makes a good sunscreen?

Sunscreen needs to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and have a sun protection factor of at least 15.
If you are involved in activities likely to make you perspire buy a sweat resistant brand. Waterproof products are best when swimming as they can protect skin for up to 80 minutes in the water.

Some people are sensitive to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Check the labels for this. Not all sunscreens have the same ingredients
Always check the expiry dates on sunscreen and follow instructions for application.
When To Apply Sunscreen
Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before being in the sun. This gives it time to absorb into the skin and it is less likely to wash away with perspiration.
Re-apply sun screen every two hours, more often if swimming, perspiring or towelling the skin.
Don’t forget to use sun hat, sunglasses and sun protective clothing to reduce the risk of burning, particularly for children and young people.

How To Apply Sunscreen

Have you ever suffered from sun burn after applying high Sun Protection Factor sunscreen? It could be that you are only getting half the amount of protection you think.

When a product is being tested for its sun protection factor a thick layer of sunscreen is applied to the skin. But studies have shown that most people apply only 25% to 75% of this amount. It isn’t often a bottle of sunscreen tells you how much to use so, some rather clever gentleman (no doubt very well qualified (1)) have proposed giving sunscreen application ‘two fingers’!

That means two strips of sunscreen should be squeezed from the tip to the base of the index and middle fingers and applied to each of the areas described.
Their dosage guide is based on a "rule of nines" that divides the body's surface area or skin into 11 areas that each account for about 9% of the total.

Sun safety

Head, neck, & face
Left arm
right arm
Upper back
Lower back
Upper front torso
Lower front torso
Right upper leg and thigh
Left upper leg and thigh
Left lower leg and foot
Right lower leg and foot

So…..

Follow the instructions on the bottle.
Shake well to mix particles that may have settled in the bottle. Spray – on sunscreen may help.
Use on all parts of your skin exposed to the sun, not forgetting ears, back, shoulders, back of the knees, and tops of the feet.
Apply thickly and thoroughly.
Be careful when applying sunscreen around the eyes.
Pick sunscreen you like the smell of – from what we’ve just seen you’re going to be spending a lot of time together!

Taken from article by Steve Taylor and Brian Diffey: Simple dosage guide for suncreams will help users
BMJ, Jun 2002; 324: 1526.
Steve Taylor is a general practitioner with the Sunset Road Family Doctors in Auckland, New Zealand, and Brian Diffey is, professor of medical physics at Newcastle General Hospital, in Newcastle, UK.

Links:

Lavera sunscreens and product information.
Lavera and SOS skincare ranges by Barefoot Botanicals.