New advice from sun safety experts reveals that we should be applying sunscreen every day as part of our morning routine to protect us from incidental sun exposure.
The Cancer Council advised that regular sunscreen application is particularly important following the heatwave warnings across the country.
The advice comes following a summit in Brisbane last year, where experts examined current evidence on sunscreen use.
The experts concluded that Australians should apply sunscreen every day when the UV level was forecast to be three or higher.
For all Australian cities, residents should apply sunscreen daily in the following months:
All year round: Brisbane, Darwin and Perth
Every month except June: Sydney
Every month except June and July: Canberra and Adelaide
Every month except between May and July: Melbourne
Every month except between May and August: Hobart
Following these guidelines, applying sunscreen every day could make a significant difference in driving down Australia’s high skin cancer rates.
How to apply sunscreen
According to the experts at House Call Doctor, sunscreen should be the last line of defence after clothing, a hat, shade and sunglasses.
In Australia, sunscreen should be SPF 30+ or higher in order to offer adequate protection against UV rays.
The average sized adult needs a teaspoon of sunscreen for their face and neck, each limb and for the back and front of their body.
Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure and re-applied every 2 hours, or after excessive sweating or swimming.
It is also important to check the use-by date on your sunscreen and store it below 30 degrees Celsius.
