Four common questions – Spring 2015

Use this information SPF to help you advise 30 your customers about Use the Sun Protection System sunscreen use.

30 SP F

1. How do filter the slip, slop, slap, and wrap sun’s rays?

Sunscreens may contain physical or chemical Ethoxyethyl p-methoxycinnamate barriers to screen skin against the sun’s ()) radiation (UV radiation). While physical barriers reflect or scatter the UV rays, »» Salicylates (Homomenthyl salicylate chemical barriers act by absorbing the UV (), Ethylhexyl salicylate (octyl radiation before it hits the skin. salicylate/octisalate), General advice is to choose a sunscreen which »» (butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane) is broad spectrum, which means it filters both UVA and UVB rays. Those who have sensitive »» ((terephthalylidene dicamphor skin should choose a sunscreen labelled sulfonic acid; Mexoryl SX) hypoallergenic or low irritant. »» ((phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic Typical chemical absorbers include: acid) »» Aminobenzoic acid derivatives (Glyceryl »» (Tinosorb S) PABA), , Roxadimate) »» (Tinosorb M) » (, » Benzophenones Physical blockers are and , Sulisonbenzone) . When applied they leave a thick »» Cinnamates (, Octyl opaque (white) layer on the skin. Microfine or methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), nanoparticles of both are transparent on the skin and reflect UV radiation.

2. Do babies’ need a special sunscreen?

»» Babies’ skin is very sensitive and can easily so keep them out of the sun. »» Once a baby is moving use the sun protection system. »» Patch test an untried sunscreen on the skin 24 hours before applying it widely to check that there is no reaction.

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SunSmart.org.nz Four common sunscreen questions – Spring 2015

3. What is the SPF on a sunscreen label? Recommended reading: Health Promotion Agency SunSmart SPF is a measure of how much UVB the sunscreen advice: can filter. Currently there is no international http://sunsmart.org.nz/ standard to label the degree of protection from UVA. Cancer Society of New Zealand – sunscreen advice: Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF https://wellington.cancernz.org.nz/mi/ of at least 30 and apply this correctly. Higher SPF sunscreens are available, however they still need reducing-cancer-risk/what-you-can-do/ to be correctly applied and reapplied. When the sunsmart/sunscreen/ instructions on the sunscreen label are followed, DermNet – sunscreen advice: SPF30 filters 96.7% of UV radiation. SPF50 filters http://www.dermnetnz.org/treatments/ 98% of UV radiation. No matter how high the which-sunscreen.html SPF rating, no sunscreen can screen out all UV radiation. Consumer New Zealand – sunscreen: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/ sunscreens 4. What is the best way to apply sunscreen? Australian Prescriber: Sunscreens. Hanrahan JR (2012): http://www.australianprescriber.com/ Apply sunscreen before sun »» 20 minutes magazine/35/5/148/51 exposure to allow time for it to dry and be absorbed into the skin. Therapeutic Goods Administration, »» An average sized adult should apply at Department of Health & Ageing, least 1 teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm Australian Government: Literature and leg, and 1/2 a teaspoon to the face, neck Review on the safety of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in and ears. sunscreens »» Always reapply sunscreen every two hours http://www.tga.gov.au/literature-review- when you are outdoors and more often if safety-titanium-dioxide-and-zinc-oxide- you are sweating or in water. nanoparticles-sunscreens

Ministry of Health: http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/ face conditions-and-treatments/diseases- ears and-illnesses/skin-cancer neck http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/ half consensus-statement-vitamin-d-and- a teaspoon sun-exposure-new-zealand of sunscreen to: http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/ companion-statement-vitamin-d-and- arm sun-exposure-pregnancy-and-infancy-

leg teaspoon of sunscreen 1to each:

SunSmart.org.nz