Fair skinned/Anglo-Saxon Australians need to develop a lifestyle that minimizes the total exposure to ultraviolet irradiation that is accumulated during a lifetime, especially that received during childhood and adolescence. The sun can be considered to be a distant unshielded nuclear reactor. Although remote, the power is enormous and our only shielding is by the atmosphere.

The single most important issue to understand about protecting the human skin from sun damage is that sun screen lotions themselves should only be considered after the basic measures have been addressed

• Avoid exposure during the midday period (10am-3pm)
• Use physical sun shelters/shades when ever possible
• Wear wide brim hats and protective shirts

Sun screen lotions

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is arbitrarily grouped into bands A and B. Both are contributory to the development of skin cancer and protection is needed from both. UVB is filtered by a number of protective chemical lotions, many of which are easy to apply and essentially invisible. Despite this convenience of use and a SPF rating of 15 or greater, UVB filters alone do not provide complete protection.

Maximal sunscreen protection is offered by combination/broad spectrum products which combine the UVB chemical filters with micronized titanium dioxide. The titanium cannot be rubbed into the skin so it remains on the surface. These preparations are invariably thicker, a little more difficult to apply, and leave a slightly opaque (usually faint white) layer on the skin surface. These combination/broad spectrum sun screens offer the best protection and are highly recommended.

More about sun protection and sunscreens:

Australian Consumers'Association

The Truth About Sunscreens

The Skin Cancer Foundation(USA):

About the ozone layer