Prepare for UV exposure

Preparing for UV exposure before you head outside gives you the best chance of preventing skin cancer, including melanoma.

UV is a type of energy produced by the sun. But unlike sunlight it cannot be seen, nor can it be felt like the sun’s warmth. As we cannot see or feel UV, overexposure may be damaging our skin and eyes without us realising.

When your skin cells receive too much UV it can damage your DNA.

This damage can lead to skin cancers including melanoma – the most lethal form of skin cancer. But you can reduce your risk by protecting your skin when the UV Index is 3 or above.

How well are you prepared for UV?

Take our quiz find out how prepared you are for UV exposure.

1. Everyone needs to be SunSmart when the UV is higher than:

3 or above

6 or above

10 or above

1. Everyone needs to be SunSmart when the UV is:

The correct answer is: 3 or above

The UV index has nothing to do with how hot or sunny it is outside. If it’s 3 or above, UV can cause skin damage and lead to skin cancer.

2. True or false: “I only need to worry about preparing for sun exposure on warm, sunny days.”

True

False

2. True or false: “I only need to worry about preparing for sun exposure on warm, sunny days.”

The correct answer is: False

It’s important to protect your skin whenever the UV is 3 or above, even on cool and cloudy days.
The best way to prepare for sun exposure is to:
- Slip on sun-protective clothing
- Slop on water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
- Seek shade, and
- Slide on a pair of sunglasses

3. The best time to prepare for UV exposure is:

Before leaving the house – check for your hat, shirt, sunnies and sunscreen.

Only on hot days

After I’ve been outside for a bit

3. The best time to prepare for UV exposure is:

The correct answer is: Before leaving the house (check for your hat, shirt, sunnies and sunscreen)

Preparing for sun exposure before heading outside will give you the best chance of reducing your risk of skin cancer (and avoiding a nasty sunburn).

4. True or false: Skin has to burn for damage to occur.

True

False

4. True or false: Skin has to burn for damage to occur.

The correct answer is: False

Your skin can be damaged from UV, increasing your risk of skin cancer, even if there is no visible burning. However, you can reduce your risk at any age by following the five SunSmart steps.

5. True or false: Men are almost TWICE as likely as women to die from melanoma.

True

False

5. True or false: Men are almost TWICE as likely as women to die from melanoma.

The correct answer is: True

Men are almost twice as likely as women to die from melanoma. Play your part in changing these statistics!

Your score: /5

You’re perfectly prepared!

Congratulations! You know exactly what to do to prepare for sun exposure and protect your skin. Keep up the good work and don’t forget to reapply that sunscreen every two hours!

It’s always good to remember:

The UV index has nothing to do with how hot or sunny it is outside. If it’s 3 or above, UV can cause skin damage and lead to skin cancer.
It’s important to protect your skin whenever the UV is 3 or above, even on cool and cloudy days. The best way to prepare for sun exposure is to:

- Slip on sun-protective clothing
- Slop on water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
- Seek shade, and
- Slide on a pair of sunglasses

Preparing for sun exposure before heading outside will give you the best chance of reducing your risk of skin cancer (and avoiding a nasty sunburn).
Your skin can be damaged from UV, increasing your risk of skin cancer, even if there is no visible burning. However, you can reduce your risk at any age by following the five SunSmart steps.
Men are almost twice as likely as women to die from melanoma. Play your part in changing these statistics!

Room for improvement.

Not bad! You certainly know some of the steps to make sure you’re prepared for sun exposure but there are a few things you should brush up on.

It’s always good to remember:

The UV index has nothing to do with how hot or sunny it is outside. If it’s 3 or above, UV can cause skin damage and lead to skin cancer.
It’s important to protect your skin whenever the UV is 3 or above, even on cool and cloudy days. The best way to prepare for sun exposure is to:

- Slip on sun-protective clothing
- Slop on water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
- Seek shade, and
- Slide on a pair of sunglasses

Preparing for sun exposure before heading outside will give you the best chance of reducing your risk of skin cancer (and avoiding a nasty sunburn).
Your skin can be damaged from UV, increasing your risk of skin cancer, even if there is no visible burning. However, you can reduce your risk at any age by following the five SunSmart steps.
Men are almost twice as likely as women to die from melanoma. Play your part in changing these statistics!

Lobster-alert.

Like many Australians, there’s more you can do to prepare for sun exposure and protect your skin.

It’s always good to remember:

The UV index has nothing to do with how hot or sunny it is outside. If it’s 3 or above, UV can cause skin damage and lead to skin cancer.
It’s important to protect your skin whenever the UV is 3 or above, even on cool and cloudy days. The best way to prepare for sun exposure is to: slip on sun-protective clothing, Slop on water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on a pair of sunglasses

- Slip on sun-protective clothing
- Slop on water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
- Seek shade, and
- Slide on a pair of sunglasses

Preparing for sun exposure before heading outside will give you the best chance of reducing your risk of skin cancer (and avoiding a nasty sunburn).
Your skin can be damaged from UV, increasing your risk of skin cancer, even if there is no visible burning. However, you can reduce your risk at any age by following the five SunSmart steps.
Men are almost twice as likely as women to die from melanoma. Play your part in changing these statistics!

Scroll then tap the elements below to discover how UV radiation can damage your skin.

Epidermis

Dermis

Hypodermis

Sunburn occurs when the skin is exposed to too much UV radiation. As UV radiation can’t be see or felt, sunburn can happen on cooler days. The more sunburns you receive, the greater your risk of developing melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) accounts for about two thirds of skin cancers and is caused by overexposure to UV radiation. BCCs grow slowly over months or years.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for about one third of skin cancers and may spread if not treated. Like BCCs, they usually appear on sun exposed body sites.

Melanoma usually grows quickly over weeks to months and is the most dangerous and aggressive form of skin cancer. If left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body and can be fatal.

Find out what they can look like

Prepare for UV exposure and protect your skin

When UV is 3 or above, protect your skin

Check the UV index

Be prepared before you go outdoors. Protect your skin in five ways

SLIP

SLOP

SLAP

SEEK

SLIDE

Sun safety starts before you head out the front door

The best time to think about sun protection is before you head outside.

A little preparation, like putting on sunscreen, finding your hat and packing your sunglasses, only takes a minute and can help protect your skin throughout the day.

Make sun protection part of your routine and head out knowing you're ready for whatever the day brings.

Real stories

Frequently asked questions about UV and skin cancer

What is the UV Index?

The UV Index is a tool you can use to protect yourself from UV radiation. It tells you how strong the UV radiation is, and the times during the day that you need to cover up to prevent it from damaging your skin. You can see forecast and live UV readings here.

What does it mean when the UV hits 3?

When the UV index hits three (moderate) the amount of UV radiation from the sun can damage your skin which over time can lead to skin cancer.

Why does Australia have high levels of UV radiation?

Australia experiences some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world because our country is close to the equator and has a relatively high number of days with clear blue skies.

What is skin cancer?

There are three main types of skin cancer caused by damage to skin cells from UV radiation:

Melanoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Melanoma is a cancer of the melanocyte cells in the epidermis of the skin. These are the cells that make the melanin that results in your skin colour.

What are the signs of skin cancer?

Skin cancers can look very different from each other. However, the one thing they have in common is that they change in appearance.

To learn more about this go to Finding Skin Cancer.

I'm concerned about getting skin cancer, what should I do?

Be prepared before you leave the house each day as UV increases throughout the day. Check the UV Index daily and always protect your skin in five simple ways: slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, slap on a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.

Talk to your doctor to find out more about your risk of skin cancer.

How do I get a skin check?

If you are worried about a mole or notice any changes to your skin, make an appointment with your doctor for a skin check as soon as possible.

What is the best sunscreen to use?

The best sunscreen is the one you will use regularly. It’s that simple. Choose one that suits your lifestyle and is easy to use. Look for one that is SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum and water-resistant.

Check the UV in your area

Visit the MyUV website to check real-time UV levels in your area.

Check the UV index

Protect your skin.

Be SunSmart

when the UV Index is 3 or above.

Cancer Council WA gratefully acknowledges Cancer Institute NSW as the original creators of this campaign. The campaign has been licensed and adapted for use in Western Australia under agreement with CINSW.

Click here to learn more about the campaign and view our assets.

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