Why Skin Checks Are Vital in Australia

The Aussie Sun: Beautiful but Brutal

Australia is famous for its outdoors lifestyle and access to stunning nature, especially true here on the Sunshine Coast. Our harsh UV levels make skin cancer a significant health concern.

How sun smart are you? Take this quiz and find out.

Luckily, regular skin checks can make all the difference.

Quick Facts About Skin Cancer in Australia:

• Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer globally.
• More than 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer each year, but many cases are preventable.
• UV damage starts young: even one severe sunburn can double your risk of melanoma later in life.

What Exactly Is a Skin Check?

A skin check is a comprehensive examination of your skin by a professional. It’s designed to:

• Identify new or unusual spots, moles, or lesions
• Detect early signs of skin cancer
• Provide you with advice on maintaining healthy skin

At Coastal Skin & Laser, we use cutting-edge FotoFinder technology to document and monitor changes in your skin over time, ensuring nothing is missed.

Why Are Skin Checks So Important?

Believe it or not, skin cancer IF caught early is often treatable with minimal intervention.

By the time a mole or lesion becomes symptomatic, the condition might already be advanced.

Scenario: The Impact of Sun Protection

• Person A wears sunscreen daily, checks the UV index, and gets annual skin checks.
• Person B skips sunscreen, spends hours outdoors unprotected, and ignores changes in their skin.

Ten years later, Person A has maintained healthy, glowing skin, while Person B faces invasive treatments for advanced skin cancer. A little prevention goes a long way!

What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk?

Protecting your skin doesn’t have to be complicated:

1. Check the UV Index: Make it a habit to check the UV Index daily and avoid outdoor activities during peak UV hours, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This helps you minimise exposure to the strongest UV rays, reducing your risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
   
   
2. Plan Smartly: Schedule indoor or shaded activities during the hottest parts of the day. For example, take your morning walk before 9 a.m. or enjoy an evening outdoor workout. This not only protects your skin but also keeps you cooler and more comfortable.
   
   
3. Apply Sunscreen Correctly: Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to shield against both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Proper sunscreen use reduces your risk of sunburn and lowers your chances of developing skin cancer over time.
   
   
4. Wear Protective Clothing: Choose hats with wide brims, UV-blocking sunglasses, and lightweight, long-sleeved UPF-rated clothing. These create a physical barrier between your skin and harmful rays, offering consistent protection without the need for reapplication.
   
   
5. Don’t Assume Your Skin Can Handle It. Ever felt a car, the road or other surface on a hot, sunny day? The sun can fade and damage a car’s paint, and destroy plastic and rubber. Imagine what it’s doing to your skin. Protect yourself from the sun.

What SPF means:

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays which are the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer.

SPF measures how much UVB radiation is filtered by sunscreen when applied correctly.

For instance, SPF30 filters approximately 96.7% of UVB rays, allowing 3.3% (or 1/30th) to reach the skin.

SPF50 filters around 98%, letting just 2% (or 1/50th) through.

Both offer excellent protection when used as directed.

Even with SPF50+, it’s important to apply sunscreen generously and follow proper application guidelines for effective coverage.

Remember, no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays, so it’s important to combine sunscreen with other protective measures like clothing and seeking shade.