Page 48 - Tropic Magazine Issue 20

TROPIC • HEALTH

Sorting out sun
protection

ADVICE
Tropic columnist Dr Alexandra
Bernhardi has some bright
ideas on sun protection.

In Australia, especially up here in the sunscreen on an average adult is pronounce names such as oxybenzones
tropics, we have the highest rate of skin needed. That’s one teaspoon for each or octocrylene and many more. These
cancer in the world. Protection from limb, two for the trunk and one for chemicals need to penetrate the skin,
overexposure to radiation from the the face and neck where they absorb UVR, create a
sun is undeniably the most important • Regardless of what it says on the chemical reaction by changing UVR
prevention. But what is the smartest bottle you should reapply sunscreen into heat which then gets released
and safest way to do this? every two hours from the skin. Chemical sunscreens
Avoidance of being in the sun for any • There is no sunscreen that gives you therefore need to be applied at least
period whenever the UV Index is above a green card to sunbake without a 20 minutes before sun exposure and
3 is the easiest and most effective thing risk. You cannot trade sunscreen for cannot be stored above 30 degrees.
to do. If you do want to be outside, common sense! International studies suggest
protective clothing including a hat and But that’s where the commonalities that some of these chemicals are
sunglasses are recommended. And end, and the differences begin. “hormone-disruptors” and potentially
then there is sunscreen! But which Because there are lots of different contribute to the development of
and when and how much? That’s when ingredients in sunscreens. Apart infertility and even cancer. They can
things get a bit confusing and of course from a variety of preservatives be detected in small amounts in
it all comes down to ingredients and and fragrances (all of them could people’s blood. The TGA (Therapeutic
the fine print. potentially cause a reaction if you are Goods Administration) considers the
Let’s have a look at the features all sensitive) we have sunscreens with small amounts of these chemicals
Australian sunscreens share: either mineral or chemical substances in sunscreens as still safe to use for
• They all filter both UVA and UVB (or both) as the active ingredient. Australians. You can learn more about
radiation Mineral sunscreens contain either these concerns on www.choice.org.au.
• Their SPF, or Sun Protective Factor, is titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
between 4 and 50 They work by sitting on the skin and Best wishes,
A sunscreen with a SPF of 4 filters 75% of scattering and deflecting UVR. They
ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a SPF of 30 work straight away, don’t get absorbed Dr Alex
filters 96.7% and a SPF of 50 filters 98%. into your system and are safe for
That means that there is not that much children. They do rub off more easily.
difference between SPF30 and SPF50. Chemical sunscreens contain lots doctoralex.com.au
• Roughly 7 teaspoons or 35g of of different chemicals with hard to

Dr Phoebe Hong
A specialist Obstetrician and
Gynaecologist combining
international experience with a
local sensibility
• Gynaecology services
• Advanced laparoscopic surgery
• Obstetrics and high risk pregnancy

www.drphoebehong.com.au Level 2 Cairns Central Plaza
58-62, McLeod St. Cairns

48 • Tropic • Issue 20
TRUSTED TREATMENT DELIVERED WITH CARE 07 4230 0030 [email protected]