Hello there !!!
We will be taking a Recci trip for a month to Sunshine Coast in Nov/Dec this year..... can anyone advise us which factor sunscreen to use.... we were thinking 30, but would we be better with 40 ????
Cheers, Bungee

 

I think the strongest you can buy in Australia is 35, that is because the government felt that using a higher factor gave people a false sense of security and they would stay out in the sun longer feeling that they were perfectly safe. I would bring the 40 with you, The sun here can be very powerful and you can burn without realising it.

 

Even with sunscreen on please be careful in the summer heat as it does make you fry!!! Most familys soon get used to covering up with cotton shirts or a rashie.

Cal x

 

I would recommend you buy it here!! It's so much cheaper than the UK! You can get a litre of it for $10-12 in most supermarkets - factor 30.

As Cal says, the sun is very strong here. Even on a cloudy winter's day you can get very burned!!

Love

Rudi
x

 

If you have children then I would buy the highest factor you can before you come, however, saying that they are about to lift the laws in late 2011 to allow Factor 50 in Australia, there are already manufacturers whose sunscreen is higher than factor 30 BUT they are not allowed to market it higher at this present time.

 

You can buy an aerosol one in aus. we got it last time we were there. Fab for the kids...quick spray down every 50 minutes (dont wait the hour). Also, spray it on their hair too (boys) if not wearing a good hat...nothing worse than a burnt scalp.

I'm an aussie so was brought up with SLIP SLOP SLAP!!

 

apparently very little sun protection difference between 30 and 50?

 

Hi there

The important part concerning sunscreen is to keep it applied whenever your out in the sun, so many people think one all over slap and slop will last all day, it wont. You need to keep applying the stuff, especially if you have been for a swim. Something i read recently i thought was interesting was the link between sunscreen and frail bones, the body needs sunlight to produce Vitamin D and the body needs Vitamin D to extract calcium from all food stuff. With the massive campaigns concerning skin cancer through sunlight exposure there has been a marked rise in Vitamin D deficiencies and hence a rise in lower bone densities. The body needs about 15mins a day full sun exposure (kit off, no sunscreen) to produce the daily required dose (600 **) of Vitamin D. This is also a damn good excuse for streaking! But generally just read your sunscreens instructions, but keep slapping it on.

Bob

 

You have no idea just how careful you have to be here, don;t try to get a tan; it will happen anyway.