How can you reduce your UVR exposure?

Many forms of protection are available to reduce your exposure to solar UVR. The best protection is to avoid going outdoors during the middle of the day. When outdoors, wear clothing with good body coverage, a hat, sunglasses and a sunscreen. The following strategies can reduce your UVR exposure:

• Avoid going outdoors when the sun is at its highest. UVR peaks between 10am and 2pm (11am to 3pm during daylight-saving time). This practice can dramatically reduce your UVR exposure;
  
• Wear clothing that covers the arms and legs as well as the body;
  
• Wear a broad-brimmed or legionnaires style hat to shade the eyes, face, ears and back of the neck;
  
• Apply at least SPF 15 and preferably SPF 30+ sunscreen to all areas of your body not covered by clothing. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen after swimming or perspiring as it does wear off. The greatest problem with sunscreen as UVR protection is that most people apply it too thinly and do not receive the full protection;
  
• Wear sunglasses when outside. Choose a style of glasses such as wrap around, that prevent the UVR reaching your eyes from the sides;
  
• Choose shaded areas where you cannot directly see the open sky. Even if you are out of the direct sun, UVR can still reach you from the open sky. UVR can also reflect from some surfaces such as beach sand, white paint, light coloured concrete, snow and water, increasing your UVR exposure;
  
• Remember that if the temperature drops it does not mean that the UVR level has also decreased; and
  
• Protect children from excessive sun exposure with shade, suitable clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreens. Use pram covers and shades for babies. Young children are unaware of the dangers. Apply sunscreen liberally and often to children following the directions on the container. The greatest problem with sunscreen as UVR protection is that most people apply it too thinly and unevenly and do not receive the full protection.