3 Sun Safety Myths Most Australians Still Believe
Some sun safety habits are so widely repeated that most people have never actually questioned them. Here are three of the most common, and what Cancer Council Australia says about each.
Myth: “It's cloudy, so I don't need sunscreen”
UV radiation isn't blocked by cloud cover the way visible light is. According to Cancer Council Australia, a cool, overcast day can carry a similar UV risk to a warm, sunny one, and UV can even reflect off cloud and intensify in certain conditions. Temperature and the UV Index are two different measurements, and only one of them determines your risk of skin damage.
Myth: “A base tan protects my skin”
A tan isn't a protective layer, it's visible evidence that skin cells have already been damaged by UV exposure. Cancer Council Australia is clear on this: a tan doesn't improve your skin's ability to protect itself, and it doesn't reduce how much sun protection you need going forward.
Myth: “I only need sunscreen in summer”
Sun protection isn't a seasonal decision, it's a UV Index one. Whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or above, protection is recommended, regardless of the date on the calendar. In Victoria, that period runs from September through to the end of April, well beyond what most people think of as “summer.”
Why this matters beyond sunscreen
None of these myths change your actual risk. What they do is create gaps in when people think to protect themselves, and gaps in when they think to get checked. A regular skin check doesn't rely on you remembering which of these applied to you over the past year.
At SkinGP Woodend, a Full Skin Check uses dermoscopy and FotoFinder total body photography, with results reviewed by our Accredited Skin Cancer Doctors. No referral is required, and you can book directly via our website.
References
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