There are both harms and benefits from UV/sun exposure. Getting the balance right depends on your skin type, your behaviour in the sun and your medical history.

Apart from skin type, there are several other factors that influence skin cancer risk including individual sun exposure behaviour, a past personal or family history of skin cancer, immunosuppression (some medicines and health conditions can cause this) and if you have a large amount of moles.

People with paler and more sun-sensitive skin types (Skin types 1 to 4) are at higher risk of skin cancers. People with darker skin that rarely or never burns (Skin types 5 and 6), are at low risk of solar UV radiation harms.

UV radiation from the sun provides several important health benefits.

Vitamin D is recognised in playing a crucial role in musculo-skeletal health and other health benefits. Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon in Australia and risk of deficiency varies according to skin type.¹

Individuals with darker, deeply pigmented skin are more likely than other groups to experience vitamin D deficiency. New advice has been tailored specifically with this in mind. An Australian position statement has revised recommendations for sun exposure and sun protection advice for adults living in Australia.

Advice on balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure

The general population is advised to always protect their skin when UV is 3 or above. However within that population there is a variation in advice:

• For people at highest risk of skin cancer and at intermediate risk of skin cancer (skin types 1 - 2 and 3 - 4 on the Fitpatrick scale, corresponding to lighter or olive skin) should apply the five forms of sun protection on all days when the UV index is forecast to reach 3 or greater. This group should not spend time outdoors deliberately to maintain adequate vitamin D status.
• People at lowest risk of skin cancer (skin types 5 and 6 on the Fitzpatrick scale corresponding to dark brown or black skin)) are advised where possible to spend sufficient time outdoors to achieve and maintain vitamin D status. The people in this group do not need to apply sunscreen routinely, unless outdoors for extended periods, when sunscreen will reduce the risk of a sunburn and photoaging. Sunglasses should be worn outdoors to protect the eyes.