The Cold Hard Facts That Don’t Need To Be Scary

Let us preface with this, the following isn’t about fear mongering… but rather about informing with a few key facts and some fun tips that we found to be super helpful when thinking about sun safety in our home by the sea!

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Check-in, for your check-up!

We’re big fans of the bi-yearly checkup when it comes to our skin and because we’re pretty heavily invested in the sun care category, we like to broaden our knowledge while we’re at it. On a recent trip to the CBD Skin Cancer Clinic, we chatted with the team on all things sun safety, the cold-hard facts of sun damage and how we can stay safe while we enjoy Australia’s great outdoors.

Sometimes when you hear statistics, they are pretty easy to brush off, however, according to the team at the CBD Skin Cancer Clinic the figure that shows two out of three Australians experiencing some kind of skin cancer or sunspot in their lifetime is totally (scarily) accurate. Lay it out like this - of the 20 or so people any one doctor could see in a day at the CBD Skin Cancer Clinic, between eight and 10 of those people will get a referral for a biopsy! Eeek!

Sun coverage, but make it chic!

So, what do they have to say when it comes to lowering these odds for each individual? Never EVER go less than 50. That’s right - the team are all about that SPF 50+, broad-spectrum coverage. And the perfect SPF partner in crime - and while they aren’t the chicest accessory come summer - the almighty rash vest while in the water could just be the game changer for protecting that epidermis of yours. We love what brands like ROXY, Billabong, Une Piece and Matteau are doing for sun safe fashion when by the ocean or the pool.

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Physical or chemical? What does that even mean… and what will work for me?

Let us break it down...
Physical sunscreens create a physical barrier on the skin. Think of your quintessential Australian lifeguard with the high-vis zinc sprawling across the nose? Yep, that’s the image we were trying to conjure. Don’t get us wrong - physical sunscreens have come a long way in terms of efficacy, quality and texture. You don’t need to opt for a bright white zinc anymore - there are a lot subtler options when it comes to physical sunscreens, because let’s be real - that zinc vibe isn’t for everyone. Essentially, physical sunscreen doesn’t absorb into the skin, but rather, remains on the surface. Alternatively, chemical sunscreens make their way into your epidermis. The composition of the chemical sunscreen works within the skin, absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat, and then releasing that heat from skin before those pesky rays have a chance to penetrate the dermis and create damage. Clever, huh?

While Beachfox is in the market of chemical sunscreen, our advice is this - do what works for you and do it every day. If you want to use a chemical sunscreen, go for it or if you want to use a physical sunscreen, then make it your best friend. Our goal is to ensure everyone is using SPF and really, that’s about all we can hope for!

Your skin is your LARGEST organ!

We hit up the doctor’s office for all manner of things - our hearts, our brain, our tummies. However, did you know, our skin is actually our largest organ and certainly deserves all the TLC it can get! Like all things as we age, regeneration of the skin tends to slow over time, so start looking after your largest organ as young as possible. This will ensure elasticity, ability to absorb AND ability to heal will be given the best possible chance as you age. PSA to all the parents reading this - start getting your young ones bi-yearly skin checks from as young as 10 years old. While they may be a little thankless now - they will be SO grateful when they are older.

 It’s all worth it in the long run, right? Correct!