Sun Care

Vanuatu experiences some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world because we are close to the  equator and have many clear, blue-sky days. As such, sun protection for our skin is  vital to help protect us from sunburn and skin cancer. Sunburn is a result of too much  exposure to UV radiation. While you can see the sunlight and feel the  heat, you cannot feel the radiation. This means that people are often  burnt without realising it.

When sunlight hits the Earth’s surface, it does so via three bands of ultraviolet radiation; UVA, UVB and UVC.

    UVA (Ultraviolet A) rays are ‘long-wave’ and penetrate deep into your skin’s inner layer, these can lead to longer-term skin issues such as wrinkles, sun spots and ageing.

    UVB (Ultraviolet B) rays are ‘short-wave’ and affect the outer layers of your skin. These cause sunburn and are a common cause of skin cancers.

    UVC (Ultraviolet C) rays are actually the most dangerous rays, but thankfully our ozone layer stops them from penetrating through to us.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The higher a sunscreen’s SPF, the more UVB radiation it filters. Sunscreens labelled ‘broad-spectrum’ are also protective against UVA.

Properly applied, SPF30 sunscreens filter out 96.7% of UVB, while SPF50 filters out 98%. Most types of sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours to maintain the optimum level of protection, however it’s best to always read the label and use as directed as it may change.

1. Obey the 5 S's

Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide.

That is, SLIP on clothing, SLOP on SPF30 or higher sunscreen, SLAP on a hat, SEEK shade and SLIDE on sunnies.

Essentially, aim to have something in between you and the sun at all  times. A t-shirt will provide better protection than a singlet, for  example. Where skin is showing (and no shade is available), apply  sunscreen that’s at least SPF30 and remember to apply regularly.

2. Watch the Clock

Did you know UV rays are at their worst between 10am and 3pm? Give  yourself the best chance to avoid skin damage from the sun by staying in  the shade between these times.

You don’t need to stay confined inside on nice days, though. Find a  café, restaurant or ice cream shop with a covered outdoor area and enjoy  the weather while staying protected.

3. Apply sunscreen before getting dressed

Applying when you’re already wearing clothes can make it difficult to know for certain you’ve covered everywhere. When you ‘Slap’ prior to dressing, all the areas you need to get are much more easily-accessible.

An added bonus of doing this is you give the sunscreen more of a  chance to ‘seep in’ to your skin and provide better protection. Ideally,  you really need to around 20 minutes or more between application and  heading out into the sun.

4. Be aware of UV’s sneakiness

Oh look, it’s a cloudy day. That means you’re fine and don’t need any  sun protection, right? Sure, if you want to end up looking like an  over-cooked lobster! UV rays can pass through clouds and still damage  your skin, possibly even more so than clear skies due to the clouds’  reflection.

So, even when there’s cloud cover, make sure you obey the 5 S’s if you’re heading outside.

5. Understand what a tan really is

When sunbathing, you’re purposefully damaging your skin’s DNA. The  tan colour is your skin’s defence mechanism to prevent any further  damage from happening while simultaneously repairing itself.

Sunburn is a result of too much exposure to UV radiation. While you  can see the sunlight and feel the heat, you cannot feel the radiation.  This means that people are often burnt without realising it. Signs of  sunburn include:

• Red skin
• Swollen areas
• Skin painful to touch
• Blistered areas
• Chills, fever, nausea and vomiting can occur if the sunburn covers a lot of your body and is severe.

Sunburn should not be taken lightly. It is radiation burn to the skin  and any type of sunburn (whether mild or severe) can cause permanent  and irreversible skin damage that can result in skin cancer.

There are different degrees of sunburn:

• First degree. Mild sunburn that reddens and inflames the skin.
• Second degree. More serious reddening and water blisters.
• Third degree. This requires medical attention. Symptoms can include blistering, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or severe pain.

The amount of sun exposure required to cause sunburn varies from  person to person, but generally people with fairer skin burn more  quickly. While you can’t cure sunburn, there are some ways to ease the  pain if you have had too much sun.

You should:

• Drink plenty of water – if you’ve been out in the sun, you’re probably dehydrated
• Cool the affected areas with clean towels, cloths or gauze dipped in cool water – or take a cool bath or shower
• Rest in a cool, quiet room
• Take some painkillers if necessary. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory  drug such as ibuprofen can help with discomfort and inflammation
• Ask your pharmacist about products that may soothe the burn. An  over-the-counter cortisone cream can help calm redness and swelling and  aloe vera gel may also soothe mild burns
• Wear loose, soft breathable clothing that doesn’t aggravate your skin
• Moisturise your skin – while this won’t prevent peeling, it will boost moisture levels in the layers of skin underneath the burn
• Avoid prolonged periods in the sun

You should not:

• Use soap on your skin as this may aggravate it
• Apply butter to sunburnt skin
• Pop blisters as this may lead to infection
• Peel or pick at the skin – let it peel off by itself
• Go in the sun until all signs of the sunburn have disappeared

If you have severe sunburn and experience blistering, headache,  nausea, vomiting, dizziness or severe pain, you should call a doctor  immediately.

When it comes to sunburn, prevention really is better than cure. Be  aware of how much time you spend in the sun and take measures to cover  up if you are outdoors for long periods of time, especially during peak  UV times – your skin will thank you for it.

There are three types of skin  cancer:

Melanoma. The most aggressive and serious of the  three, this begins in the cells of the skin and can travel to other  parts of the body. It usually presents as either a new spot on the skin,  or an existing spot changing in appearance or itching or bleeding.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). This is the most common  type of skin cancer and generally has a low chance of spreading to other  areas of the body. It can appear as a painless lump on the skin or a  dry, shiny area that’s bright pink or pale in colour.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). The less common of  the two non-melanoma skin cancers, squamous cell carcinoma is also  unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. Signs to look out for  include:

• A growing lump
• Tender area
• A raised scaly lump
• Thickened, scaly and firm area
• The appearance of an unhealed sore