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New is not always better A NEW standard allowing manufacturers to increase the sun protection factor in sunscreens from SPF30+ to SPF50+ and adding improved UVA protection was recently set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), but the Cancer Council says SPF 50+ sunscreens offer only marginally better protection than 30+ products. Chair of the Cancer Council Australia’s Skin Cancer Committee, Terry Slevin, welcomed the new standard, but warned consumers not to overestimate the new level of protection. “Despite the big difference in SPF numbers on the label, in fact the new SPF50+ sunscreen offers marginally better protection from UVB radiation, which causes sunburn and adds to skin cancer risk,” he said. “SPF50+ filters out 98 per cent of UVB radiation compared to 96.7 per cent blocked by SPF30. It’s not a suit of armour; it needs to be applied just as generously, reapplied every two hours, and used in conjunction with protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses and shade.” The new standard for SPF50 offers the same protection against sunburn, caused by UVB radiation, as the current SPF30, but is required to have higher UVA protection in order to be labelled broadspectrum. The sun’s UVA wavelengths are responsible for the sun’s ageing effect on the skin and also contribute to skincancer risk. Mr Slevin said there was no need to
New SPF50+ sunscreens are expected to hit the shelves after Christmas, but are they any better than what we’ve been using?
throw away your current sunscreen. “Any sunscreen of at least SPF30, which is labelled as water-resistant and broad-spectrum, offers good protection. Manufacturers will be allowed to continue producing and selling their current formulations that meet the old standard. The new standard applies to new products only and is simply a little better, and offers the consumer more choice.” Meanwhile, international skincare company Nivea says the regulation is an important step forward for the Australian sunscreen category, making Australia consistent with the highest protection standards internationally for sunscreen. But they say SPF50+ offers a greater level of protection only if people continue to follow the existing safe sun practices
and apply the recommended amount of sunscreen, regularly. The recommended amount is one teaspoon for each limb, your face and neck and the front and back of your body, at least every two hours or applied immediately after swimming, towelling, and/or exercising. Nivea scientific and regulatory affairs manager Ken Lee says SPF50+ does not in any way negate the well established sunsafety messages. “To put it into context, if you use the right amount correctly, a 200mL bottle should last around seven applications. So if your 200mL bottle is lasting you all season, you are evidently not using enough. “Ultimately, the best sunscreen is not necessarily the highest SPF, it is the sunscreen that is actually used and is used sufficiently,” he says.
What do the changes mean? • Raising the limit from SPF30-plus to SPF50-plus • Introduction of a definition and new method for determining “broad spectrum” • New classification categories on product labelling
Kelly Meyan, Erin Barry, Michel Johnson, Carrie Graff, Jason Barry, Suzi Antunes, Nikki Galeff and Kellie Woodward.
The coach and some champs RENOWNED local and national basketball coach Carrie Graf was the guest speaker at this year’s Rotary Club of Canberra South’s annual Vocational & Community Service Awards night at the Hotel Realm. Award winners were selected from nominations from club members, employers, businesses and community contacts of volunteers and employees who demonstrate commitment and excellence either in the workplace or the community. The Vocational Service Award winners are, from left, Kelly Meyan (of Reis & James Travel Associates), Erin Barry (Evo Health Club), Michael
Johnson (Active Leisure Centre), guest speaker Carrie Graf, Jason Barry (Evo Health Club), Suzi Antunes (Gail Freeman & Co Pty Ltd) and Nikki Galeff with Kellie Woodward (both of Reis & James Travel Associates). Community Service Awards were made to Chris CreechLenard (Smith Family) and Dr Rhodanthe Lipsett. The John Scott Memorial Community Service Award was made, for the first time to a club member, to Tony Jurd. The awards night was sponsored by Senetas, the Australian-based, international high-speed network encryption technology company.
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