Australia, where the sun’s rays are as relentless as a magpie in swooping season, boasts one of the highest skin cancer rates globally. Yet, only about 38% of Aussies aged 15 and over use sunscreen on most days during summer.
Sunscreen in Australia: A Snapshot
| Statistic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Australians using sunscreen on most days (15+ years) | 38.1% |
| Women using sunscreen regularly | 48.8% |
| Men using sunscreen regularly | 27.0% |
| Australians attempting to tan in the past year | Over 2 million |
| Australians sunburned in the past week | Nearly 1.5 million |
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Cancer Council.
Sunscreen Application: The Aussie Way
- Apply Generously: Use about 35mL (seven teaspoons) for full-body coverage.
- Timing: Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply: Every two hours, or immediately after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
- SPF Recommendation: Use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- Additional Protection: Combine sunscreen with protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and seeking shade.
Vitamin D vs. Sun Protection
While sunscreen can limit vitamin D production in lab settings, population studies show minimal impact on vitamin D levels with regular sunscreen use. Most individuals can maintain adequate vitamin D through brief daily sun exposure and diet.
The Five S’s of Sun Safety
- Slip on protective clothing.
- Slop on sunscreen.
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat.
- Seek shade.
- Slide on sunglasses.
Remember, combining these methods offers the best protection against harmful UV rays.
Sources:
- ABS, “Sun Protection Behaviours 2023-24”
- Cancer Council Australia, “Concerning new data shows almost half of Australians aren’t using adequate sun protection”
- Nine / 9News, “Only third of Aussies are wearing sunscreen most days, in line with guidelines”
Photo: Hardlinerr, cropped, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Illustrative: a summer’s day at Shelly Beach, Manly.
