Sun and skin: exploring the myths
There are many myths that surround sun exposure and the risks of developing skin cancer.
Myth number 1: A tan makes me look healthy and if I don’t burn, I’m causing my skin no harm
- Sun exposure that causes tanning or even slight reddening of the skin is an indication of skin damage.
- Cumulative sun exposure over years, even without sunburn, can result in skin damage such as skin cancer and premature ageing.
Myth number 2: Sunbeds and solariums are safe ways to brown your skin
- Skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays called UV-A and UV-B. The light that is emitted from sunbeds and solarium lamps contains UV-A and UV-B radiation, both of which are known to cause skin cancer.
Myth number 3: Most Australians receive adequate vitamin D from casual exposure to sunlight
- Many Australians are actually deficient in vitamin D. Those at most risk are the elderly, people with dark skin, people who cover their skin for cultural reasons, those advised to avoid sunlight and people with malabsorption syndromes.
- Vitamin D is very important for bone health. You need vitamin D to absorb calcium efficiently.
- For most Australians, adequate vitamin D is unlikely to be achieved solely through diet, so exposure to sunlight is an important source of vitamin D. Unfortunately, according to a 2005 position statement from bodies including Osteoporosis Australia, most Australians won't make enough vitamin D from the casual sunlight exposure they get in their day to day life.
- Although deliberate sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 and 14:00 in summer (11:00 to 15:00 in daylight saving) is not recommended, the 2005 Australian position statement on vitamin D and adult bone health suggests that exposing the hands, face and arms to around one-third of a MED every day should provide enough sunlight exposure. A MED (minimal erythemal dose) is the amount of sunlight exposure that just produces a faint redness of the skin — sometimes described as the threshold dose that produces sunburn.
- For someone with moderately fair skin living in Sydney, in December or January they would need 6-8 minutes in the sun at 10:00 or 14:00 to gain one-third of a MED. In July and August, this increases to 26-28 minutes in the sun at 10:00 or 14:00 or 16 minutes at midday to gain one-third of a MED.
- The recommendations for sun exposure vary from city to city in Australia and people with very dark skin would need 3-4 times longer than people with fair skin.
- Ask your doctor for advice if you think you may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Myth number 4: I only need sunscreen if I’m out in the sun all day
- The average burn time in Sydney is around 11 minutes. Only applying sunscreen when you anticipate a full day in the sun is a skin cancer risk. While some sunlight exposure helps to maintain vitamin D levels in your body, it is wise to protect your skin from overexposure, especially when the UV index is moderate or high (3 or more).
- Remember that when using sunscreen, it should be applied 20 minutes before heading out into the sun and then reapplied every 2 hours.
Last Reviewed: 17 November 2006
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