Hamilton

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with over 380,000 people diagnosed every year and over 1,300 die from skin cancer each year. Skin cancers account for around 83% of all new cancers diagnosed each year in Australia. By taking steps to reduce exposure to UV radiation, you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

A sunscreen should be used everyday if you are going to be in the sun for more than 10 minutes to avoid ultraviolet (UV) radiation from damaging the skin through sunburn, premature ageing and wrinkling, suppression of the immune system and for the prevention of skin cancer.

Sunscreens should be used all year round, even in winter. UV rays penetrate cloud cover whatever the season, although the damaging rays are less intense in winter. The still cause skin damage, which will accumulate over time.

Sunscreen works by filtering, not blocking UV radiation with a chemical barrier that absorbs and/or reflects the UV rays away from your skin. No sunscreen product provides 100% protection against UV radiation. Some UV radiation will always reach the skin causing damage to the cells below. This damage will build up over time and can increase your risk of skin cancer. Sunscreens are formulated to reduce the amount of damaging UV radiation reaching your skin.

Application thickness has a significant effect on the protection provided by a sunscreen. If adequate amounts of sunscreen are not used in the first instance, the SPF of the product is reduced, potentially leading to sunburn. To be effective, sunscreen must be applied generously and rubbed in lightly so you can still see a visible sheen on the skin.

For maximum protection:

For an average size adult, the ideal amount of sunscreen that should be used is approximately one teaspoon per arm. Naturally, the torso and legs will require more sunscreen using this measure as a guide. Application 10-15 minutes before sun exposure allows the sunscreen to film on the skin. It is important to reapply sunscreen every 2-4 hours during sun exposure to compensate for initial under application so as to achieve an SPF more in line with the rated value, and to replace sunscreen that may have been removed by swimming, vigorous exercise, perspiration, towel drying or friction from clothing.

Sunscreens only form one part of the entire sun protection program. There are a number of steps for sun protection and all play a valuable role in achieving maximum UV protection. Always avoid excessive exposure to the sun and try not to go out during the peak periods of the day. Wear protective clothing such as a long sleeved shirt, wide brimmed hat, UV filtering sunglasses, seek shade where possible and wear a good quality SPF30+ broad spectrum sunscreen such as Hamilton Sunscreen.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The SPF is a grading system for sunscreens indicating the degree of protection provided by the sunscreen against UVB radiation. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection provided. For instance, an SPF 30 product provides double the sunburn protection of an SPF15 product for the same amount of sunscreen and time.

Not all sunscreens labelled SPF30+ are the same in relation to the level of protection they offer.

Research tells us that most people apply less than half the amount of sunscreen (as set out in the Australian Standard for SPF determination) with some using as little as 27% of the required dose. This means that the rated level of SPF protection is not going to be achieved.

Hamilton formulates sunscreens well in excess of the SPF30+ to provide a safety margin in the event that not enough sunscreen is applied.

An SPF 30 product will provide twice the protection of an SPF 15 product, for example:

If your Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED) is 10 minutes (i.e. if your skins begin to burn or show signs of reddening within 10 minutes of exposure to the sun without sunscreen) an SPF 15 product will allow you to be exposed to the sun for 10 x SPF15 = 150 minutes before an erythema/sunburn will result, while an SPF 30 product will provide protection for 10 x SPF30, i.e. 300 minutes.

In the time unprotected skin receives 100% of a burn dose, skin with the protection of a liberal and even layer of SPF15 still receives 6.6% of UV radiation, while with an SPF30, the skin receives only 3.3% of the UV radiation dose.

Therefore, an SPF 30 sunscreen has double the protection from sunburn compared to an SPF 15 sunscreen, plus increased protection against related forms of skin damage. the higher the SPF i.e. 40, 50 or 100+, the less thedose of UV radiation that reaches the skin.

A sunscreen labelled "broad spectrum" offers protection from UV-A rays as well as from the burning UV-B rays. All Hamilton sunscreens are broad spectrum. And regular use helps to reduce the risk of premature ageing, wrinkling of the skin and skin cancer.

Even if you're not going near the water, water resistance is still an important feature because it determines how well sunscreen will stay on the skin over the time it is being worn, in and out of the water. During sporting, swimming and other outdoor activities Hamilton Sunscreen is less likely to wear off with perspiration and/or swimming. However, it is important to reapply as stated on the directions of the pack.

Sunscreens cannot protect you all day. Once the SPF limit is exceeded burning will continue regardless of how much sunscreen is applied. It is now time to get out of the sun.
SPF is calculated by comparing the amount of time it takes to produce the first sign of redness on unprotected skin versus the time taken to produce redness on skin that has been protected.

For example:

If your unprotected skin reddens in 10 minutes then an SPF 30 sunscreen will give you 300 minutes of protection.

This an example only, and the time it takes your skin to show the first signs of reddening will vary.

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