How much do you know about skin protection?

June 27th, 2017 · Published to Shade Solutions by Steve Lewis

Australia experiences an abnormally high amount of UV radiation and, in case you’re unaware, excessive UV exposure can cause many skin problems, including skin cancer. As Australians, we need to be conscious about our skin. We need to ensure that we take protective measures against the sun’s rays at all times.

One of the simplest and most effective ways of protecting yourself from the sun is by investing in shade structures. How do I know this, you ask? Well, it’s because I am a shade structure specialist with over 25 years of experience in the shade industry.

So, continue reading this post as I provide some important information on skin safety. I’ll also touch up on the many ways you can use shade structures in the prevention of sunburn. Hopefully, this article will help you protect yourself and your loved ones from the harsh sun rays that we experience.

Importance of skin protection

Do you know that skin cancer is an almost entirely preventable disease? Despite this fact, Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. In fact, cancer.org.au reports that over 2,200 Aussies died due to skin cancer in 2013. This is far higher than most other developed nations.

Fortunately, you can dramatically reduce the risk of skin cancer by being ‘sun-smart’. There are a few sun protection measures that can keep you safe from the sun’s UV rays. Here are some of them:

Proper clothing

Before you set foot outdoors, ensure that you are wearing sun-protective clothing. Your clothing should cover as much of your skin as possible. I also recommend you to wear sunglasses that meet Australian standards and a hat that covers your head, face, neck and ears.

Sunscreen

You must always apply sunscreen liberally on exposed skin 20 minutes before you step out into the sun. Your sunscreen should be at least SPF 30+ and you should reapply sunscreen once every two hours. Also, remember that sunscreen cannot be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.

Shade structures

By far, the most effective way of preventing skin damage from the sun is by seeking shade. If there isn’t enough natural shade around your home, you should consider investing in shade structures, such as those we manufacture here at Global Shade. Shade structures are available in many types and they can either be permanent or semi-permanent.

Here, at Global Shade, we offer a range of shade structures to protect you from the sun. We specialise in offering shade sails, canopies and tension membranes, awnings and outdoor umbrellas, among others. We use high quality shade fabrics in our shade structures which block up to 99% of the sun’s UVR.

By installing shade structures, whether permanent or semi-permanent, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the risk of skin cancer. However, it is still recommend that you apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing even if you are relaxing in the shade.

Conclusion:

Australia experiences an abnormally high amount of UV radiation. This is the primary cause of high rates of skin cancer in our country. In order to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays, you need to be ‘sun-smart’. Make sure to wear sun protective clothing and always apply sunscreen before stepping outdoors. You should also consider investing in shade structures for complete sun protection.

For the best quality shade structures in Australia, consider us at Global Shade. Give us a call at 1800 724 407 to talk to our experts about your shade structure requirements today!