Summer in South Africa is synonymous with swimming, barbeques, beach outings, cricket matches, fishing and a whole lot of other outdoorsy activities. After all, we’re blessed with one of the most wonderful climates in the world, and it only makes sense to take full advantage of it. However, spending all this time in the sun also means that we have to be extra careful to take proper precautions to safeguard our skins.

According to CANSA, skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and SA has one of the highest monitored ultraviolet (UV) levels in the world, resulting in one of the highest skin cancer rates globally. We recently checked in with dermatologist Dr Lizmare Bronn (MBChB, FC DERM) to find out what we can do to stay safe in the sun as temperatures soar over the summertime. Here are a few of the insights she shared with us:

Understand your SPF

According to Dr Bronn, it’s important to know how the sunscreen SPF scale works if you want to ensure that you and your family enjoy proper protection. “A higher SPF does not necessarily equate to better sun protection. After a factor 30, the coverage does not get better, it lasts longer. Over a 30 SPF, every added digit buys you more time in the sun,” explains Dr Bronn.

“Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) is something that is tested by exposing a patient to UV to see how quickly their skin turns red. Very fair skin might turn red in two minutes, for instance, while someone with an olive-toned skin might be able to handle ten minutes of exposure before their skin turns red.

“The SPF number actually tells you how much longer the sunscreen will allow a person to stay in the sun without burning. For instance, if your MED is 4 minutes, and you apply an SPF of 30, you will be able to stay in the sun for 120 minutes (4 x 30) before burning. However, if you should apply an SPF 50, you’d be able to stay in the sun for 200 minutes (4 x 50). In short, you buy yourself safe time in the sun with a higher sun protection factor,” says Dr Bronn.

TOP TIP: So, how do you know how long you can stay in the sun without having your MED professionally tested? According to Dr Bronn, the general rule of thumb is to divide the SPF by 15 to see how many hours’ protection you have before you have to reapply (keeping in mind that environmental factors like sweating and towelling also play a role).

Know your risk 

Most of us know to schedule a check-up with our GP, ophthalmologist, gynae/proctologist and dentist at least once a year, but did you know that if you are at high risk of developing skin concerns, you might also have to include a dermatologist on that list?

According to Dr Bronn, the following risk factors may indicate that you need to see a dermatologist at least once per year:

  • A family history of melanoma
  • Being a survivor of a previous melanoma
  • Having more than 50 moles
  • Having more than 5 atypical moles (i.e. moles with an irregular outline or surface)
  • Having blonde or red hair with light-coloured eyes
  • Having had an organ transplant
  • Being on immune suppressant medication

Don’t forget protection in the car!

According to Dr Bronn, South Africans should be taking the same sun-safety precautions when they get in a car as when they would be on their way to spend some time outdoors.

“You get two kinds of UV rays – UVA and UVB. UVB typically causes sunburn. Conventional car window glass blocks these ‘warning’ rays, but it still lets through the UVA rays, which is associated with skin aging, as well as damage at a deeper level of the skin,” she explains.

“If you are headed on a long journey by car, plane or train, you should actually be taking the same precautions as though you were sitting outside. It’s very noticeable in older pilots who flew without any sun protection. Reps and other individuals who spend a lot of time in their cars will also have a noticeable difference in the sun damage to the side of their body (i.e. the right side in SA) that is more exposed to the sun if they don’t take proper precautions. So wear sunscreen in the car, unless you’ve had a UV-safe tint applied to your windows.”

Written by Anna-Bet Stemmet