Sunscreen is vital to protect yourself in the sun, despite social media posts spreading misinformation.
Queensland has the highest rate of melanoma in the world – so it’s important to heed the sun safety advice of health experts and slip, slop, slap and slide.
Dermatologist Associate Professor Erin McMeniman, who works at Princess Alexandra Hospital and University of Queensland’s School of Medicine, says the prevalence of social media posts making false claims about sunscreen were increasing – and they are particularly dangerous in the skin cancer capital of the world.
Unprotected sun exposure causes most melanomas and non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.
In 2021, 4,085 Queenslanders were diagnosed with melanoma, with sadly 385 people dying from this disease.
Sun-safe behaviours include applying sunscreen with SPF30 or higher, wearing a broad brimmed hat, clothing that protects against the sun (long sleeves or long pants), wrap-around sunglasses and seeking shade.
However, false claims perpetuated in social media include:
- Myth #1: A tan prevents sunburn or a tan that builds over time isn’t dangerous
- Myth #2: People with darker skin cannot get skin cancer
- Myth #3: Chemicals from sunscreen are more dangerous than UV rays
- Myth #4: Sunscreen causes cancer
- Myth #5: You don’t need sunscreen when it’s cloudy
- Myth #6: Using sunscreen stops you getting enough vitamin D
- Myth #7: My make-up has SPF so I don’t need to use sunscreen
Assoc Prof. McMeniman said there are also many posts falsely claiming that using sunscreen leads to vitamin D deficiency.
“Particularly in Queensland, most people receive enough sun exposure to produce vitamin D simply through their daily incidental activities, such as hanging out the washing or checking the letterbox,” she said.
“Skin damage can occur after 10 minutes exposure when the UV index is at 3 or above. In Queensland, the UV index is 3 or above all year round, even in winter.
“In recent weeks, the UV index has gone up to 14 or 15 in Queensland – which is extreme. And don’t forget the UV index can also be very high on cloudy days – and you can still get burnt.”
Assoc Prof. McMeniman added posts perpetuating claims and myths that sunscreen is made of harmful substances and cancer-causing agents are dangerous, especially when it is directed at young people.
“There is no evidence there is any proven harm from using sunscreen,” she said.
“However, we have excellent evidence from many studies, including some undertaken right here in Queensland, showing benefits from daily sunscreen use and no evidence of harm in the study group.
“Unprotected sun exposure has been proven to cause cancer.
“It’s also very dangerous for people to claim a tan that builds over time is safe and protects you from sun damage. A tan is the result of sun damage and increases the risk of skin cancer.”
Assoc Prof McMeniman explained the SPF content in most make-ups such as foundation is not strong enough to protect you against the sun.
“You need SPF30 or higher rating to be protected against sun exposure,” she said.
“I encourage people to check the SPF rating in their makeup today. If it’s not SPF30 or above, you should be wearing additional sunscreen under your makeup when you’re in the sun for an extended period.
“People also need to know that the best way to protect your skin from ageing is to wear sunscreen.
“If young people want healthy looking skin into adulthood, then they need to regularly use sunscreen – and this will help against signs of ageing such as wrinkles as they get older.”
Assoc Prof. McMeniman said she was concerned that the most recent available data shows nearly half of Queensland children were sunburnt in the previous 12 months.
“Sunburn in childhood, frequent sunburn and sunburn that blisters the skin all increase a person’s susceptibility to UV-related cancers,” she said.
“Unprotected sun exposure accumulates over time and sustaining as few as five sunburns per decade triples your risk of developing melanoma, so it’s really important you take measures to protect yourself from the sun.”
People aged over 60 are most at risk of developing skin cancer due to the lack of sun safety education when they were growing up.
“Unfortunately, skin cancer rates are increasing among those aged 60 years and over, with men more affected than women,” Assoc Prof. McMeniman said.
“This trend is expected to continue for many years due to their cumulative UV exposure in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood years. Unfortunately, this generation was not exposed to sun safety campaigns growing up.
“But there is some good news for younger people - we are seeing the positive impacts of skin cancer awareness campaigns and sun protection policies that have been running since the late 80s, with melanoma rates slightly decreasing among those aged under 40 years.”