SEEK
Staying in the shade is one of the most effective ways reduce exposure to the sun. Shade can be either:
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| Natural: trees, hedges and other vegetation |
Constructed: permanment or portable shade |
Building good quality shade
The amount of shade protection a fabric provides is expressed in terms of its ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. (AS/NZS 4399:1996.). Shade cloths made from tightly woven fabrics that have been given a UPF rating can provide protection from as much as 97% UV radiation.
UPF Range |
UV radiation absorbed |
% UV radiation transmitted |
Protection category described in Australian Standard |
15 to 24 |
93.3 to 95.8 |
6.7 to 4.2 |
Good |
25 to 39 |
95.9 to 97.4 |
4.1 to 2.6 |
Very good protection |
40 to 50+ |
97.5> |
<2.5 |
Excellent protection |
Look for shade that provides at least 94% protection (UPF 15) from direct UV radiation and creates an environment that is comfortable to use in both summer and winter.
Whatever you use for shade, make sure it casts a dark shadow and that it allows for daily and seasonal sun movement.
In many situations combining built and natural shade will be the best option.
Shade resources:
Shade for playgrounds
Shade for Schools
The Shade Handbook
Shade for everyone
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SLIP
Your clothes protect you from the sun through garment style, material, colour and UPFs.
Style
Choose shirts with high collars that sit close to the neck. Ensure shirts have sleeves that completely cover the shoulder and extend as close the elbow as possible. Cap sleeves are not recommended (It should also be noted that three quarter length or full length sleeves provide best protection).
Longer shorts and skirts, or trousers provide good protection
Loose clothing, where the fabric is not in close contact with the skin, will give you more protection
Material
The closeness of the weave, not the weight of the fabric, is important in protecting against UV radiation
The less light that passes through the fabric the better the protection
Synthetics or mixed fabrics often have a tighter weave than natural fabrics
Protection may be reduced if the fabric is stretched, wet or old
Colour
Dark colours usually absorb UV rays and prevent them from reaching the skin better than white or other light colours.
UPFs
Clothing and shade devices may be labelled with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), which is a measure of the fabric's resistance to UV radiation. UPFs range from 15-24 (good protection) to 50+, which is the highest rating in Australia.
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SLAP
A well-designed hat can substantially reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching the face, neck, ears and head.
Common sites of skin damage and skin cancer are the neck, ears, temples, lips, face and nose.
Always remember to use other sun protection measures, such as shade, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your face, as hats will not block out all UV rays.
Recommended hats
Hats should shade the face, neck, ears and head.
These styles provide excellent protection from the sun:
A broad-brimmed hat with a brim of at least 7.5cm |
A Legionnaire-style hat |
A bucket or surfie hat with a brim of at least 6cm (for primary school children and older) or 5cm (for preschool children) |
Choosing a hat
When buying sun-protective hats, look for:
- a style that shades the face, neck and ears
- close-weave material (if you can see through the hat material, the UV rays will also get through)
- hats that do not obscure vision or pose a safety concern
- good ventilation, especially if the hat is to be used while exercising.
- Hat guidelines
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SLIDE
Wear wrap around sunglasses
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion item. They protect your eyes from UV radiation, especially if you're exposed to glare from the water, sand or snow.
Repeated exposure of the eyes to UV radiation can cause short-term eye complaints and permanent eye damage.
Short-term complaints include mild irritations such as excessive blinking, swelling, or difficulty looking at strong light.
UV exposure can also cause acute photo keratopathy, which is essentially sunburn of the cornea, like snow blindness or welders' flash burns.
In the long term, repeated exposure to UV radiation can cause more serious damage to the eyes. This includes:
cataracts (cloudiness of the lens) – around 10% of cataracts are potentially due to UVB radiation exposure to the eye
- pterygium (pronounced tur-rig-ium), an overgrowth of the conjunctiva onto the cornea
- cancer of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye)
- skin cancer of the eyelids and around the eyes.
Choosing sunglasses
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion item. They protect your eyes from UV radiation – especially if you're exposed to glare from the water, sand or snow.
Sunglasses sold in Australia are required by law to have lenses that meet a high standard of sun protection (AS 1067).
Here are some tips for choosing sunsafe sunglasses:
Wrap-around styles are best
- Sunglasses don't have to be expensive to provide good protection
- Some cheaper brands don't conform to the standard. Always check the swing tag to ensure lenses block out at least 95% of UV radiation
- Frames should fit closely to the face so that UV rays cannot reach the eyes, particularly at the sides of the face
- Look for sunglasses that transmit very little UV radiation, such as those labelled UV 400 or EPF (Eye protection Factor) 9 or 10.
If you work outdoors and need protection from flying particles, dust, splashing materials and harmful gasses, wear eye protectors that comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 1337:1992 (eye protectors for industrial applications).
If you wear eyeglasses, talk to your optometrist about how to protect your eyes from UV radiation. Some options available are:
- prescription sunglasses
- clip-on shades to wear over corrective lenses
- a UV-protective coating for corrective lenses
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SLOP
Apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of many ways of filtering out damaging UV radiation. Look for sunscreen labelled 'broad spectrum'. This means it blocks out UVA and UVB rays, both of which contribute to sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer.
There are two types of sunscreens:
- absorbers, which soak up UV radiation and prevent it reaching the skin
- reflectors, such as zinc creams , which reflect UV rays away from the skin. These sunscreens should only be used on small areas of the skin as they can limit heat loss and perspiration.
Tips for using sunscreen effectively
- Put on sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside.
- Generously apply sunscreen by smearing over clean, dry skin – leave a visible film and don't rub it in.
- Use a water-resistant sunscreen if you are swimming, exercising or in a humid climate.
- Apply zinc cream to your nose, lips and cheeks if you are going to be outside for long periods.
Re-apply every two hours or more regularly if you have been swimming, sweating or wiping it off.
- Always check the expiry date. Don't use a sunscreen that has passed its use-by date.
- Store sunscreens in a cool place out of the sun.
- If you develop a reaction to sunscreen stop using that brand and try another. Sunscreens for sensitive skins are less likely to contain ingredients such as fragrances that may irritate the skin. There is no evidence of any adverse effects associated with using sunscreen.
- No sunscreen offers 100% protection from the sun. Always use sunscreen in conjunction with clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade.
For more information regarding sunscreen, see our information sheet.
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