Beyond the sunshine: What’s really damaging your skin?

Health & Wellbeing -
Dr Priya Chagan
TAL General Manager, Health Services
Dr Priya Chagan
1 in 2 Australians know someone who has been affected by skin cancer1 - but TAL’s new research reveals that most Australians base their sun protection habits on the wrong indicators.  

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a major cause of skin cancer.2 Despite 89% of Australians being aware of this fact, 43% rarely or never check the UV index when spending time outdoors, and 62% don’t even know how.1 Instead, many rely on the sky to decide when to protect our skin.  

The reality is that UV radiation can cause damage when we least expect it. TAL’s General Manager of Health Services, Dr Priya Chagan, shares the facts about UV radiation and tips on how we can protect ourselves this summer. 
 
  1. Looks Can Be Deceiving  

    2. Unlike light and heat from the sun, UV radiation is not something we can see or feel. Even on a cool day when the sun isn’t visible, UV rays can penetrate through clouds and rain, posing a significant risk.3

    Despite this, most Australians (72%) still equate sunny days with higher UV levels and 58% are also more likely to be relaxed about sun protection on days that are overcast or less hot. This means many Australians are unknowingly being exposed to harmful UV rays. 

  2. Time Matters  

    3. We often remember to protect our skin when planning to spend extended periods of time in the sun, such as when we go to the beach. However, UV radiation is strong enough to cause sunburn in as little as 10 minutes on a summer day.2 This poses a risk to Australians, who are often unprotected during incidental moments, such as spending time in their backyard.1

    UV exposure can lead to DNA damage of skin cells, which accumulates over your lifetime and cannot be reversed.2 The good news is that by elevating your sun protection habits now, you can prevent future damage. 

  3. It’s Not Always Safe Inside  

    4. The glass commonly used in car windows reduces, but does not completely block transmission of UV radiation.4 Studies show that UVA rays can penetrate car windows, increasing the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.4 Despite this, 2 in 5 Australians forget to wear sunscreen in the car when they drive on a sunny day. 1

    Similarly, UV radiation can penetrate windows at home or in the office, potentially causing skin damage for those spending extended periods of time near them. 4

  4. UV is Ageing You Faster  

    5. Studies suggest that up to 80% of premature facial ageing is caused by UVA rays.2 These rays penetrate deeper into the skin, leading to photoaging, which results in wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and pigmentation changes. Protecting your skin from UV radiation can help maintain its youthful appearance and prevent long-term damage.2

    Remember, it’s important to protect your skin, even in the moments you wouldn’t typically think to. Additionally, you should check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer.  Regularly checking your own skin can help to maximise the chance of detecting skin cancer early and greatly increases the chance of successful treatment. 

    If you notice any sore, changing, abnormal or new spots during a self-check, it’s important to get these checked by a GP or dermatologist straight away. In addition to self-checking regularly, it is also important to chat to your GP about your risk of skin cancer to determine the frequency of your professional skin checks.  

    To learn more about self-checking, and how to protect your skin against UV radiation, visit our SpotChecker hub.  You will also find stories of everyday Australians with lived experiences of skin cancer, and an abundance of resources to better educate yourself around the ways in which you can stay sun safe this summer. 

 

 

1THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY EDENTIFY PTY LTD ON BEHALF OF TAL, IN OCTOBER 2024, WITH A SAMPLE OF 1,000 RESPONDENTS IN AUSTRALIA AGED 18-65+ YEARS OLD.

2CANCER COUNCIL / MY UV, “UNDERSTANDING UV”. ACCESSED ON 19 NOVEMBER 2024 AT WWW.MYUV.COM.AU/UNDERSTANDING-UV

3CANCER COUNCIL, “UV INDEX”. ACCESSED ON AT 19 NOVEMBER 2024 AT WWW.CANCER.ORG.AU/CANCER-INFORMATION/CAUSES-AND-PREVENTION/SUN-SAFETY/UV-INDEX

4CANCER COUNCIL, “FACT SHEET: TINTED WINDOWS”, ACCESSED ON 19 NOVEMBER 2024 AT WWW.CANCER.ORG.AU/ABOUT-US/POLICY-AND-ADVOCACY/PREVENTION/UV-RADIATION/RELATED-RESOURCES/TINTED-WINDOWS

 

 

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