Putting on sunscreen should be part of your morning routine, not just applied before playing sport or going to the beach, researchers say.
Researchers say putting on sunscreen should become part of your morning routine. Photo: RNZ
That's because we're exposed to the sun during everyday activities - and studies have shown that skin cancer and melanoma can be caused by accumulated small doses of sunlight.
Associate Professor Rachel Neale, a skin cancer prevention specialist from Brisbane, said: "Up until now, most public health organisations have recommended applying sunscreen ahead of planned outdoor activities but haven't specifically recommended applying it every day as part of a morning routine,
"In Australia, we get a lot of incidental sun exposure from everyday activities such as walking to the bus stop or train station, or hanging out washing.
"In recent years, it has become clear that the DNA damage that causes skin cancer and melanoma accumulates with repeated small doses of sunlight."
She said that New Zealanders and Australians should adopt the daily sunscreen practice - and put even more on if you're planning to spend extended periods outdoors.
Putting on sunscreen didn't stop the skin from absorbing Vitamin D, she said.
Cancer Council Australia's Prevention Advisor Craig Sinclair said that if more people applied sunscreen every day as part of their morning routine, it could make a real difference in reducing skin cancer rates in the future.
The routine has been adopted by the New Zealand and Australian bodies responsible for sun safety advice.
Last year, NIWA scientist Dr Richard McKenzie said people can get sunburned on days even when the UV index is under three, especially if they're fair-skinned and spending a lot of time outside.
He said people should wear sunscreen even in the shortest, darkest days of winter.
