What's wrong with tanning?

Too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases your skin cancer risk. Find out how to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

There is nothing healthy about a tan

There is nothing healthy about tanning your skin. Once you understand what is happening to your skin, you'll think again.

• UV radiation from the sun is a carcinogen - it causes damage to your skin that can lead to cancer.
• Tanning is skin cells in trauma trying to fix the damage from UV. Skin cells produce melanin to protect themselves. When your skin can't repair the damage, a deadly melanoma can grow.
• Sun baking causes premature ageing, scarring and can cause nasty burns.

Tanning is skin cells in trauma, trying to protect themselves from cancer.

There's nothing healthy about getting a tan.

What about Vitamin D?

We all need Vitamin D for good health and the main natural source of Vitamin D is from the sun. Most people receive enough Vitamin D from daily incidental exposure to the sun. It can also be obtained from some foods or a supplement.

A balance is required between UV exposure for Vitamin D production and other health benefits while protecting the skin from damage and skin cancer.

In NSW, going about normal day-to-day outdoor activities, such as walking to the train station, while still protecting your skin when the UV index is 3 or above, is enough for most people to maintain adequate Vitamin D levels.

Some groups of people may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency and should consult their doctor. For example: people with deeply pigmented skin; people who cover most of their skin for religious or cultural reasons; people who live mostly indoors over a long period of time; and people with certain medical conditions.

Quick tips:

• Exposing your skin to the sun when the UV index is 3 and above increases your risk of developing skin cancer so protect your skin.
• People concerned about their Vitamin D levels should talk with their doctor.
• To maintain adequate Vitamin D levels, short bursts of sun are better, as the body can only absorb a set amount at a time.
• Your body can rely on its stores of Vitamin D for 30 to 60 days.
• Exposing yourself to UV radiation in a solarium or collarium will damage your skin and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Commercial solaria are illegal and not an effective way to obtain Vitamin D.
• For good bone health, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Sunscreen is not for tanning

Sunscreen is not meant to be used to extend the amount of time you spend in the sun and should definitely not be used for tanning or sun baking.

Sunscreen is one of 5 sun protection behaviours you should practice to protect your skin from UV radiation. It's important not to rely solely on sunscreen. Many people don't apply at the right times and don't apply enough.

It's a good idea to apply sunscreen to your face, ears and other exposed skin as part of your morning routine, like brushing your teeth.

Use sunscreen on exposed skin in combination with protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, creating or finding shade and sunglasses (Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide).

For sunscreen to be effective it needs to be applied 20 minutes before going outside. A generous amount of sunscreen is needed, but many people don’t apply enough.

The average sized adult needs about 7 teaspoons of sunscreen for their whole body (35ml).

Quick tips: 

• Use a SPF 30 - 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin.
• Apply at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every 2 hours, and after swimming. Don't forget sunscreen can be too easily wiped off by clothing, water, sand and rubbing.
• Apply one teaspoon to each part of your body and don't miss areas such as behind the ears and knees.
• Use water resistant sunscreen if you participate in water sports or sweat often.
• Ensure the sunscreen complies with the current Australian and New Zealand Standard for Sunscreens (AS/NZS 2604)
• Check the expiry date.
• The only people who don't need to apply sunscreen routinely is people with deeply pigmented skin (people with skin types 5 +6, learn how to identify your skin type here). However people with deeply pigmented skin do need to protect their skin when in the sun for extended periods.

Sunscreen and snorkelling or swimming near coral

If snorkelling or swimming near coral wear a protective rashie or stinger suit to protect your skin. Apply sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredients to any exposed skin. By doing this you are helping to protect the coral. Check the active ingredients of sunscreen on the packaging and via the TGA website.