​Skin Cancer Questions - Sunscreen Edition

By Dr Arwen Mohr
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We know that sunscreen lowers the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.  We also know that more people die from skin cancers than from road deaths each year in New Zealand.  We should all be using sunscreen then, right?  But what about in winter months?  What kind of sunscreen is best?  What if I hate wearing sunscreen – what do I do then?  These are all common questions that are important.
For the first question, the easiest way to know if you need sun protection is to check the UV Index.  If this is 3 or above, you should have sun protection to protect you from skin cancer.    In the winter months when the UV Index is 2 or less, you don’t need to worry as much about protecting your skin from the sun.  It’s always good to check the UV Index.  There are apps such as the Sunsmart app and UVNZ that can tell you this information quickly.  If the UV Index is 3 or above, it’s important to protect every part of your body that could contact sunlight.  This is commonly done with sunscreen.  Even if you’re great about applying sunscreen, it’s important to make sure you apply it before you are in the sun and reapply it regularly – think about sweat, clothing friction, swimming, and ingredient breakdown due to exposure to sunlight (which means it’s working).   
There are many different types of sunscreen available, such as fragrance-free, and alternatives to cream such as gels.  Since 2022 all sunscreen creams in NZ are regulated under the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act so you can trust the product to do what it says on the label. As long as it is SPF 30 or higher, the best sunscreen is the one that you will use, so it’s good to find one that you like.  You can also choose to avoid the sun during the time that the UV Index is 3 or above by spending time in the shade, or wearing clothing, hats and sunglasses that protect against the UV effect of the sun.  There are many options for UV-protective clothing and hats that are lightweight and comfortable even in warm weather.  
UV radiation can begin to damage your skin in as little as 5-15 minutes, and this skin damage isn’t just skin cancer, but includes photoaging such as wrinkles and pigment changes.  Whilst the cancer causing UV levels go up and down, the lightwaves that contribute to aging and wrinkles are present all day, year round.  This is a great reason to make broad spectrum UV protection part of your daily routine every day. Your future self will thank you for protecting your skin!

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