Living in Australia, sunscreen has become a part of our everyday beauty routine.
While in the past it might have just been something we put on when heading to the beach for the day, most people now use it on a day-to-day basis – whether it be in their moisturiser, foundation or just straight sunscreen.
But the big question is, are we doing enough when it comes to sunscreen application?
This and other questions are set to be addressed at the 11th International Sun Protection Conference: The UVA Challenge held at The Royal College of Physicians in London on June 8-9.
The conference will draw attention to a range of important sun issues such as the effects of UVA on the skin, the occurrence of melanoma and other damage, methods of measuring UVA protection and means of protecting the skin from UVA.
It will also look at whether the minimum level of UVA protection outlined in EU guidelines is adequate.
In 2010, an estimated 114,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia, while one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.
Once thought of as the safe ray, scientists have since discovered UVA rays do more damage to the body than UVB.
Conventional sunscreen blocks very little UVA radiation compared to the nominal SPF, with the best UVA protection provided by products containing zinc oxide, avobenzone and ecamsule.
With cancer a hot topic in today’s society, the more research into sun protection the better.