At the beginning and end of the day, when UV is below 3, the sun is to be enjoyed.
But if you’re not protecting yourself when the UV level reaches 3 and above, it’s doing damage to your skin that increases your risk of skin cancer.
This can have enormous physical, mental and emotional impacts.
The truth about skin damage
While a lot of Australians know the danger of too much sun, many still think that it’s heat that causes sunburn and skin damage.
The truth is, it’s UV that causes the damage, and unlike heat, UV can’t be felt.
It doesn’t have to be a warm day for UV to reach dangerous levels either. The UV Index can be used to let you know when to protect yourself and your family from UV radiation.
What can you do to protect yourself?
To protect yourself throughout the day, make sure to regularly check the UV index by downloading and using the SunSmart Global UV app. It’s also important to protect yourself by making sunscreen part of your morning routine, swapping your cap for a hat with a wide brim, wearing long sleeves and sunglasses, and always staying in the shade where possible.
Check the UV index
Checking the UV Index helps you know when protect your skin from the sun. It tells you the time of day you need to be SunSmart (when the UV is 3 or above) and also what the maximum UV level will be for the day. This normally happens around the middle of the day, when the sun is at its most intense. At this time, skin damage can happen very quickly.
Download the SunSmart Global UV app
The SunSmart Global UV app provides reliable at-a-glance real-time and forecast UV levels for locations across Australia and the world.
Protect yourself in five ways from skin cancer
Help to spread the message
There are two sides of the sun – the fun and nurturing side, and the dangerous side. We need your help to spread awareness of the danger of the sun when the UV hits 3 or above.
You can help us by downloading this toolkit featuring important information and campaign assets which can be used to spread this important message.
Don’t get on the wrong side of the sun.
Protect yourself when UV is 3 or above.
Find Out More
About the UV Index
Do you know what each number of the UV Index indicates? Find out more about the UV Index scale and what you need to do in each range to protect yourself from the sun.
What is your skin type?
Your skin type, eye colour and hair colour are all major factors in determining your risk of damage from sun exposure. Regardless of your skin type, it’s always important to be sun smart.
Matt’s story
Matt is a prime example of how much your life can change with a melanoma diagnosis. Find out more about how he was diagnosed, how his prognosis impacted him and his family, and how you can reduce your own risk of melanoma.
