Best protection from the sun

Slapping on sunscreen is no substitute for covering up. Reducing sun exposure to a minimum together with protective clothing and hats are still the best way to guard against skin cancer and the aging effects of the sun. These behavioural measures should be preferred to sunscreens.

Unfortunately this solution is deemed to be unacceptable in our global, outdoor society. Sunscreens are being promoted as the "scientific mode" of sun protection for various societal reasons not medical reasons. Consequently sunscreens may even be abused in an attempt to increase time in the sun to a maximum.

Not all types of clothing offer the same level of protection, in the same way as different types of sunscreen. Tightly woven, thick garments made of denim, wool or polyester are the most effective. Cotton, linen and acetate clothes are far less effective at blocking out harmful rays. Dry, loose fabric and clothes which have shrunk after washing are better than wet or stretched materials, and bleaching makes clothing less protective.

Sunscreens have been shown to protect mainly against sunburn and less serious forms of skin cancer. However, there is no conclusive proof that they prevent potentially deadly melanoma skin cancer. The incidence of melanoma is increasing even in Malta.

The application of a liberal quantity of sunscreen is by far the most important factor for effectiveness of a sunscreen, followed by the uniformity of application and the specific absorption spectrum of the agent used. Organic sunscreens should be applied 15 to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. Waterproof or water-resistant products should be used when swimming.

The problem is that people do not apply sunscreen liberally enough to get the level of protection necessary. We also miss patches, forget to reapply it and of course sunscreen can also be rubbed or rinsed off. Many people are also unaware that we need to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before heading out in the sun too. It may also give us a false sense of security if we think it's enough to apply it once in the morning and assume this will see us through the day, when that is not the case. Also, a sunscreen with a high SPF should be also used in conjunction with clothing that covers the skin.

The type of head cover and clothing is also important - wide brimmed hats (kpiepel tat-tibna) are preferable to baseball caps, and stretched or loose-weave fabric will protect the skin less than thicker or tighter woven clothing.

Mind you, this is all expert advice from the latest scientific research. But, does it sound practical? Not at all. As our forefathers used to say, "He who does not want trouble should keep away from it". It is as simple as that.