6 sun protection mistakes you may be making

Learn about six common sun protection mistakes that can have a negative impact on the health and appearance of your skin.

Despite repeated advice from dermatologists on how to protect the skin from solar radiation, a number of misconceptions about photoprotection remain common. These are six mistakes worth avoiding.

6 common sun protection mistakes

1. Only using sun protection on holiday

Photoprotection should not be limited to beach holidays or particularly sunny days. Ultraviolet radiation can reach the skin even when there is cloud cover. Clouds can reduce UV radiation to varying degrees, but they do not eliminate it completely. For this reason, sun protection should be considered whenever the UV index, duration of exposure and individual risk make it appropriate, rather than relying simply on whether the weather feels hot or sunny. This is particularly important during prolonged outdoor activities.

2. Using a sunscreen with an SPF that is too low

This is one of the most common sources of confusion.

The sun protection factor (SPF) shown on sunscreen labels does not tell us how many minutes we can safely spend in the sun. It is a laboratory measure of how much UVB exposure is required to produce erythema, or sunburn, on protected skin compared with unprotected skin when the product is applied in the tested amount. It should therefore not be used to calculate a safe exposure time. Another misconception is that a lower SPF will produce a deeper or faster tan, while a higher SPF will prevent tanning altogether.

Tanning is a biological response to ultraviolet exposure and indicates that the skin has been affected by UV radiation.

A high-SPF sunscreen reduces the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the skin, but no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV radiation. For prolonged outdoor exposure, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, generally SPF 30 or above, is advisable. A higher SPF does not mean that it is safe to remain in the sun for longer.

3. Applying too little sunscreen

Sunscreen needs to be applied in a sufficient amount to provide the level of protection indicated on the label. In everyday use, people commonly apply considerably less than the amount used when SPF is tested, which reduces the protection actually achieved.

Another frequent mistake is applying sunscreen once in the morning and assuming that protection will last throughout the entire day.

Sunscreen should be reapplied during prolonged outdoor exposure, generally around every two hours, and sooner after swimming, heavy sweating or towel drying. Products labelled water-resistant also need to be reapplied because resistance to water is limited and does not mean that the product remains fully effective indefinitely.

4. Thinking sunscreen alone is enough

Sunscreen is only one part of an effective photoprotection strategy. It should be combined with other measures whenever appropriate, such as:
seeking shade;
wearing covering clothing;
using UV-protective sunglasses;
wearing a hat that shades the face, ears and neck;
avoiding unnecessarily prolonged exposure to intense midday sun.

A hat is particularly useful for protecting the scalp, forehead, ears, nose and neck, especially in children, people with thinning hair or alopecia and those with fair hair or skin.

Wide-brimmed hats generally provide better protection than caps or visors because they shade a larger area.

The protection offered by a hat depends on factors including the weave, thickness, colour, design and fabric.

A tightly woven or specifically UPF-rated fabric is preferable when reliable ultraviolet protection is required. Straw or loosely woven hats may offer some shade but can allow more UV radiation through gaps in the material.

Dark colours often absorb more ultraviolet radiation than lighter colours, although the weave and UPF rating are generally more important than colour alone.

5. Ignoring the expiry date or period after opening

Sunscreens, like other cosmetic products, have a limited shelf life. Check the expiry date where one is provided and, once the product has been opened, follow the period-after-opening symbol on the packaging. Storage conditions are also important. Sunscreen that has been repeatedly exposed to excessive heat — for example, left in a hot car or in direct sunlight — may deteriorate more quickly.

A product from the previous summer does not automatically need to be discarded if it is still within its stated expiry or period after opening and has been stored correctly.

However, it should not be used if:
it has expired;
it is beyond its recommended period after opening;
its colour, smell or texture has changed significantly;
its components have separated and do not mix again normally.
When in doubt, replacing the product is the safest option.

6. Missing areas of the skin

Sunscreen needs to be applied carefully to all exposed areas. Parts of the body that are frequently missed include:
the ears;
nose;
neck and back of the neck;
hairline;
shoulders;
upper chest;
tops of the feet;
ankles.
The lips also require appropriate sun protection. When areas such as the back or the backs of the legs are difficult to reach, asking someone else to help can improve coverage. The same principle applies to checking moles or other skin lesions in areas that are difficult to see.

We invite you to share this article on six common sun protection mistakes with family and friends who may find it useful.