Mythbusters

False. You can get sunburnt on a cloudy day. UV radiation still gets through light cloud cover, so unprotected skin can be damaged.

False. You can get sunburnt on a cold day. You cannot feel UV radiation. The temperature you feel is the result of infrared radiation (or heat) from the sun, which unlike UV radiation gets blocked by cloud.

You can also get sunburnt on ski fields, because snow can reflect more UV radiation than most other ground surfaces. 

Learn more about UV radiation.

False. Water only reflects about 5% to 10% of UV radiation. The reason you're more likely to get burnt at the beach is because you're: 

• exposed to UV radiation
• not well covered by clothes
• not close to shade like buildings or trees
• may be there for an extended period of time.

False. Your windburn is probably sunburn. The wind may make you feel cooler, but as UV radiation is not related to temperature, it can still be high, even on a windy or cool day.

UV cannot be felt and is not related to temperature. 

False. Sunburn at any age should be avoided. Sunburn is painful and it may increase your risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

Be SunSmart yourself and encourage others in your care to protect their skin and eyes from September to April.

Learn more about sunburn.

Sunburn is painful and potentially deadly. Avoid getting sunburnt – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

Learn more about skin cancer.

False. If you are going to be in the water, a rash shirt and sunscreen is a good form of protection. A full body wetsuit gives even better protection. A wet t-shirt may offer only half the protection it does when it is dry.

False. It is possible to get sunburnt in a very short time. When UV radiation levels are high, damage to  people with light coloured skin can occur in as little as 12 minutes.

Check the Sun Protection Alert, NIWA UV forecasts, and UVNZ app for details about the time each day that you need to protect your skin and eyes.

False. Cosmetics and moisturisers with SPF can help protect you from the sun’s damaging rays. However, many cosmetics offer protection that is much lower than that recommended for sunscreen of SPF30. Also, many cosmetics are not broad-spectrum or water resistant.

In addition to wearing SPF makeup, use all the SunSmart steps – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

False. It is important to protect all of your skin (and your eyes). Use all the SunSmart steps – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

False. A baseball cap or visor does not protect your chin, ears or neck. Visors don’t protect your scalp. A hat with a wide brim is the best hat to protect you from the sun.

False. A suntan means your skin has been damaged. This increases your risk of developing a skin cancer later in life.

False. Water offers minimal protection from UV radiation. About 40% of UV radiation can still reach the body 0.5 metres below the water surface. 

False. Taking breaks while sunbathing does not prevent sunburn. UV radiation exposure accumulates throughout the day, regardless of breaks. Avoid sunburn and be SunSmart – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

False. Some types of glass (e.g., tinted glass) can reduce UV radiation, but they do not block it. If you spend long periods in a car or next to a window receiving direct sunlight you should be SunSmart - Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

False. You can get sunburnt in the winter, especially if you are at high altitude (for example, on a ski field). At higher altitudes there is less atmosphere to filter UV radiation. In addition, snow and ice can reflect more UV radiation than most other ground surface, which increases your risk of skin and eye damage.

False. New Zealand can have periods of very high UV radiation. Everyone, regardless of skin type and colour, is at risk of skin and eye damage.

False. UV radiation damage adds up over your lifetime. The good news is that it’s never too late to be SunSmart. To prevent further UV radiation damage be SunSmart – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

False. No sunscreen filters out all UV radiation. You need to limit your time in the sun no matter what sunscreen you’re using.

Learn more about sunscreen.

False. Whether you use a spray or a lotion it is important to spread them uniformly over the skin after application. This is easier to do with lotions than with sprays. If you use a spray – you need to do more than a quick ‘squirt’. You need to rub it in and check coverage. 

False. It’s best to follow the recommended storage instructions on your sunscreen packaging. Sunscreen should be stored below 30 degrees Celsius. Sunscreen can get hot in your car’s glove box and in your sports bag - this means it might not work as well as it should.

False. You need to reapply your sunscreen every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating. Use all the SunSmart steps - Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

False. A high-number SPF does not mean you can spend more time outside without reapplying your sunscreen. The SPF tells you how much of the sun's rays is filtered, not how long it will last. All sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating. Use all the SunSmart steps - Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

False. It's important to use all the SunSmart steps - Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.