SunSmart myths

1) I can’t get sunburned on a cloudy day.

False: You can still get sunburned on a cloudy day. At least 80% of UV radiation can get through light cloud cover, so unprotected skin can still be damaged.

2) Temperature gives me a good idea of the UV radiation risk.

False: The heat from the sun is caused by infrared radiation, not ultraviolet radiation, so UV radiation can still be very high even on a cool day, when infrared radiation is low. Just think about how easy it is to get burned on the snowfields when the temperature is hovering around freezing.

3) Sunscreen blocks out all UV radiation.

False: No sunscreen can fully block out the UV radiation – that’s why you need to limit your time in the sun no matter what sunscreen you’re wearing.

4) Getting badly sunburned before the age of 20 increases my risk of getting melanoma skin cancer later on.

True: If you have a history of one or more sunburns before you turn 20, you have a much higher chance of getting melanoma skin cancer.

5) Wearing a T-shirt in the water is as sun protective as a rash shirt.

False: A wet T-shirt may offer only half the protection it does when it is dry. If you are going to be in the water, a rash shirt and sunscreen is your best form of protection.