On the Gold Coast, sun safety isn’t a summer-only habit. Cancer Council Queensland says the UV Index in Queensland reaches 3 or above at some point every day, and 3 is the level where UV is strong enough to damage unprotected skin. That means the school run in July needs the same thinking as a January beach day.
Below we explain why our UV stays so high, how to build a routine that fits real Gold Coast days, and when a spot is worth getting checked. If you’d like help choosing products, our beauty advisors can talk you through the sun care and skincare range in store.
Why is UV so high on the Gold Coast all year?
UV is a different thing from heat. You can’t see it or feel it, so a cool, breezy morning can still carry strong UV. Cancer Council Australia points out that UV can be just as high on a cool day as a hot one, especially under clear skies, and it can still reach you through thin cloud.
Winter UV still counts
Queensland sits much closer to the equator than the southern states, so the sun is higher in the sky for more of the year. The Bureau of Meteorology’s climate maps show the lowest UV levels across Australia fall in June and July, with values lowest in the south and highest in the north. For us, that means winter UV drops, but not below the point where protection matters. Cancer Council Queensland is clear on this: sun protection is needed all year round in Queensland.
Summer UV is extreme
The UV Index scale runs from low (1–2) to moderate (3–5), high (6–7), very high (8–10) and extreme (11 and above). According to the Bureau of Meteorology, UV peaks in January, when average clear-sky values of 11 or more cover virtually all of Australia. On a clear summer day at Burleigh or Main Beach, you’re spending time in the extreme band.
Reflection adds to your dose
ARPANSA notes that UV reflects off water and buildings, and that hard surfaces such as concrete, steel and glass reflect more than grass or soil. Sitting under an umbrella on the sand or waiting on a light rail platform surrounded by concrete, you can still pick up reflected UV even when you’re in the shade.
How do I check the UV each day?
The simplest habit is to check the daily sun protection times before you head out. The Bureau of Meteorology publishes them for locations around Australia, and the free SunSmart app shows the current UV level and alerts you when it reaches 3 or above. Once you’re used to glancing at it, you’ll notice how early in the morning UV reaches 3 during our warmer months.
The five sun safety steps, Gold Coast style
Cancer Council’s five steps (slip, slop, slap, seek, slide) work best together. No single step is enough on its own.
- Slip on clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Loose, long-sleeved tops and close-weave fabrics are more comfortable in our humidity than you might think.
- Slop on SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen that is broad spectrum and water resistant. Apply it to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before you go outside and reapply every two hours, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off.
- Slap on a broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hat that shades your face, neck and ears. Caps and visors leave your ears and neck exposed.
- Seek shade. Cancer Council Queensland says shade alone can reduce UV exposure by 75 per cent, but reflected UV still gets in, so use shade alongside the other steps.
- Slide on sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard (AS 1067, category 2, 3 or 4). Wraparound styles block more light from the sides.
How much sunscreen is enough?
Most people don’t use enough. Cancer Council recommends about 35 mL, or around seven teaspoons, for a full-body application on an adult. That works out to at least a teaspoon each for your face, neck and ears, each arm, each leg, your front and your back.
A routine for real Gold Coast days
Sun safety sticks when it fits into the day you’re already having. Here’s what that looks like across a typical week.
Beach and pool days
- Apply sunscreen at home, before you’re distracted by the car park and the kids.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags, and set a phone reminder to reapply every two hours and after every swim.
- Pack a rash vest, a wide-brimmed hat and a beach shade. The hours around the middle of the day are the time for lunch under cover.
The school run and sport
- Keep a sunscreen in the car door or school bag so morning drop-offs and afternoon training don’t get skipped.
- Many schools and childcare centres have sun-safe hat rules. A named broad-brimmed hat in every bag saves a lot of stress.
- Remember your own face and hands while you stand on the sideline.
Car parks, driving and the light rail
- The walk across an open-air car park or along the Broadbeach streets adds up across a week of errands.
- ARPANSA notes that laminated windscreens and tinted windows can block most UV, but plain or tempered side windows offer much less. Arms resting near a side window on a long drive still need protection.
- Store sunscreen out of the hot car. Cancer Council recommends keeping it below 30°C, as heat can separate the formula.
Theme parks and days out
- Queues often run through open areas. Reapply before you join a long one, and wear a hat with a strap so it survives the rides.
- Visitors from cooler climates often underestimate our UV. If you have family staying over the school holidays, make sun protection part of the plan from day one.
Checking your skin: what to look for
Getting to know your own skin makes changes easier to spot. Cancer Council Australia suggests checking your whole body in good light, using a mirror or a partner for your back and scalp. Include areas that don’t see much sun, such as the soles of your feet, between your toes and under your nails.
Look out for:
- a new spot or mole, or one that looks different from your other moles;
- a mole that is growing, or changing in shape, border or colour;
- a spot that becomes raised or develops a lump;
- a mole or spot that itches, tingles, bleeds or weeps;
- a sore that doesn’t heal.
A change doesn’t automatically mean skin cancer, but it does mean you should get it checked.
When to see a pharmacist or GP
See a GP about any spot that is new, changing or different, and any mole that appears after the age of 25, which Cancer Council Australia flags as worth checking. If you’d like to have a spot looked at while you’re at the centre, our in-store Help Medical GPs can see you.
Your pharmacist can help with mild sunburn and with choosing a sunscreen for sensitive skin or for children. According to healthdirect, see a doctor if sunburn causes:
- large areas of blistering;
- severe pain;
- signs of infection, such as fever or yellow crusts on the skin;
- signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, tiredness or passing less urine.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If someone is confused, has a seizure or becomes unresponsive after time in the sun, call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
If you have a question about sunburn, a spot you’re unsure about or the right sunscreen for your family, our team is happy to help. Pop in, with no appointment needed. Find us on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days (until 9pm Thursdays), or call (07) 5592 2099.
Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey (BPharmSci, MPharm), Pharmacist.
Sources
- Cancer Council Queensland – What is UV?
- Cancer Council Queensland – Protecting your skin
- Cancer Council Australia – UV Index
- Cancer Council Australia – Advice on how to choose, apply and store sunscreen
- Cancer Council Australia – Check for signs of skin cancer
- Bureau of Meteorology – Average solar ultraviolet (UV) Index
- ARPANSA – Sun protection using shade
- Queensland Government – Heat and sun safety
- healthdirect – Sunburn
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.