Why Your Annual Skin Check Is More Important Than Ever

Yes, Australia is like heaven on earth. We’ve got beautiful coasts, mesmerising land, and a chill lifestyle we wouldn’t trade for anything. 

But Australia also has its downside, because as much as we love the warm and sunny weather, that very sun is extremely harsh on our skin. In fact, you might have heard that down under, there’s a depleted ozone layer that looms over us. 

And sadly, that implies that the UV radiations have a much more destructive impact on our skin. Health Direct reports that over 13,000 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma each year. That said, Experts note that skin cancer and melanoma are preventable and can be treated effectively. 

So before you pack up your van for the summer, plan your beach days in the sun, or organise a well-deserved camping trip along the coast, get your skin checked! 

Here are the top recommendations from the Australian government, skin experts, and ocean lovers (that’s us) on how to protect your skin this summer. 

• Check your body for ABCDE. This is the skin cancer checklist that helps you assess Asymmetry, irregular borders, uneven colours, enlarged diameter, and overall evolution of any new moles. You can run through the checklist here. 
• Book a check with a GP, skin check clinic or dermatologist near you to get a professional assessment. If a mole looks suspicious to you, don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. 
• Avoid sun exposure during harsh hours of the day. The sun is at its hardest at midday, between 11 am to 2 pm. It is recommended to avoid direct sun exposure during those times. *That’s even vital for kids. 
• Embrace the shade. There’s no need to cook like a rotisserie chicken if you don’t have to. And if you can’t keep the kiddies under the beach umbrella when playing in the sand, make them wear protective and breathable clothing. 
• Wear sunscreen anywhere. The sun doesn’t just impact you at the beach. UV’s can get absorbed when you kids play at the park, when you’re drinking coffee outside and when you’re driving. So make sure to wear sunscreen on uncovered skin when you’re out and about.
• Re-apply sunscreen throughout the day. The SPF on sunscreen stands for the length of time you can spend in the sun. For example, if you get a natural sunburn after 30 minutes, A SPF30 means that you can stay 30 times longer under the sun before being sunburned. However, the length of time will vary from person to person. Read this blog to learn more about SPF, and make sure to keep your skin safe all-day long by reapplying sunscreen generously.