Cool Tips

Everyone has heard about how we need to be SunSmart, and we all know the importance of slip, slop, slap and wrap....but why?

The sun is a star in space and it is about 150 million kilometers from earth. The sun provides us with warmth, light and vitamin D (which helps us have healthy bones and a good immune system). Sound great doesn't it? But the sun also gives off little explosions of radiation which is made up of three rays - UVA, UVB and UVC.

So what does that UV radiation do?

Sunburn is caused by UV radiation. When you get sunburnt your skin gets damaged, which can cause skin cancer. Once your skin is burnt it never forgets that burn, so the more burns you have the more at risk you are of getting skin cancer.

Cancer can make you very, very sick. In New Zealand skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, but we can help make sure we don't get sick by being SunSmart.

In New Zealand we are more at risk to the sun’s radiation than in other parts of the world. Why do you think this is?

It's because the way the earth sits means New Zealand is closer to the sun. We also have a thinner layer of ozone to screen out the UV rays compared to many other countries. Ozone is kind of like a sun screen or shade that covers the whole earth. Another reason we're more at risk of the sun's radiation is because our air is less polluted than other countries so the sun's rays are not as blocked out.

What sort of hat should I wear?

The best hats to wear are the broad brimmed hats or bucket hats with a brim of at least six centimetres. Caps are not SunSmart as they do not protect the back of the neck and the ears. Those are both areas where people often get skin cancer.

What if I don’t have a hat?

If you do not have a hat on your head it is important that you play in the shade, especially between 10am and 4pm between September and April. When you are at the beach remember to take a beach umbrella to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. The reflection of the sand and the water at the beach makes the sun's rays extra strong.

When should I wear sunscreen?

You should wear sunscreen when you are going outside. The best type is called an SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen. Wipe it on thickly at least 15 minutes before going outside, then reapply when you get outside to make sure you’ve covered up completely. If you go swimming or run around lots, make sure you put sunscreen on again every two hours.

Can I get sunburnt on a cloudy day?

Yes! It’s the rays of the sun that burn your skin, not the temperature. So even when it is cool or cloudy you can get sun burnt. Make sure you slip, slop, slap and wrap kids!

Can you get sunburnt while in the water?

Yes! The reflection from the water can make the rays of the sun even stronger.

I’ve already got tanned or dark skin, so can I get sun burnt?

Yes! Having a tan or dark skin won’t protect you from the damage that the sun’s rays do. It’s important for everyone to be SunSmart, whatever their skin tone.