Annaliese Allen is the founder of Honeybell Waterwear. She has kindly volunteered her services to create awareness about rashies and other protective clothing to prevent skin cancer.
The day after I received this post I went out and bought a sun protective shirt, something I have been saying I’m “gonna” do for a while.
It’s time we get serious about skin cancer, most of us have a loved one who has been through it. I hope this helps inform all of my Mum readers who should take the time to remember to take care of themselves and the kids equally.
So, You Think Rashies Are Just Something We Make Our Kids Wear?
Mum’s are really great at putting our kids in rashies and hats and sunscreen. But when it comes to protecting our own skin, like so many other things, we sometimes don’t enforce the same rules onto ourselves. As the weather begins to warm up, I want to give you a quick reminder of why we all need to start practicing what we preach so that we can enjoy the sun safely this summer season.
Sun Protection Is More Important Than You Are Probably Aware
The statistics are scary, so read this section carefully to let it fully sink in….
- 90%-99% of skin cancer is related to sun exposure
- Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Australia,
- Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70.
Yet skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer in Australia. Yes, largely preventable.
You can fight against skin cancer, and protect yourself from damaging UVA and UVB rays by practicing the Cancer Council’s Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! Slide! message. Easy, right? But how many of us really know how to Slip Slop Slap the right way?
Top 3 Common Misconceptions…
The 3 most common misconceptions I see around the Slip Slop Slap message are….
Slip On A Shirt…
It wasn’t until I started looking into sun protection for my kids that I learned that the Cancer Council’s Slip Slop Slap message is NOT being fulfilled by slipping on any kind of clothing available.
Yes, we all love our t-shirts, flowy kaftans, and oh-so-versatile sarongs. But, did you know, that the average white cotton t-shirt only has a UPF (which is like SPF for clothes) of about 5?
You need to do more than ‘slipping’ on a cotton t-shirt, kaftan or tunic. Please, tell everyone you know: cotton does not provide adequate sun protection. You need to be wearing clothing that has specifically been designed to protect you from the sun.
Slop On Some Sunscreen…
EVERY day sunscreen is needed because UVA rays are with us all the time. EVERY DAY regardless of the season, time of day, or weather forecast. UVA rays penetrate deep into our skin, not just superficial layers, and through most clothing, cloud cover and untreated glass.
Get in the habit of applying a broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen every day. Be generous with your sunscreen, apply it before you go outside and reapply it every 2 hours.
Most importantly, sunscreen is a great defense, but should not be your only defense.
Slap On A Hat…
Yes, you need your hat to be breathable, lightweight and comfortable – but it also needs to be constructed in a fabric that offers protection.
I see many women wearing their big floppy straw hats and yes, they look good and provide shade, but if you can see through the weave, then those UVA/UVB rays can see you too!
Like sun protection clothing, look for hats that are labeled as providing protection from UV exposure.
Don’t Be A Statistic
With so many great reasons to protect yourself and so much public education focused on skin protection, it’s hard to believe that the sun protection message is not sinking in. But it’s not sinking it.
I implore you, please don’t be a statistic, learn more about sun protection, Slip! Slop! Slap! The RIGHT WAY and enjoy the sun safely this summer.
p.s. Just in case skin cancer wasn’t enough of a deterrent, up to 90% of the visible signs of aging, including wrinkles, are caused by sun damage, not the number of candles on your next birthday cake. So, be it for health or vanity reasons, having the best possible skin comes down to… reducing sun damage!
Author Bio:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
Annaliese Allen is the founder of Honeybell Waterwear, an Australian boutique sun protection clothing label for women. Annaliese got tired of feeling body and fashion-conscious when wearing sun protective clothing, which made her realize that other women were probably feeling the same way too.
On a mission to give women a sense of confidence, she decided to redefine the sun protection clothing industry and launch Honeybell Waterwear. All Honeybell Waterwear garments are made in a breathable fabric that is certified as providing UPF 50+ protection, that blocks 98% of the sun’s damaging UVA/UVB rays.
The collection features 100% exclusive modern Australiana prints in lightweight, quick-drying materials designed to provide a feminine fit that drapes your body shape and leaves you feeling comfortable and relaxed.
Know about Cancer Council’s Slip! Slop! Slap! but pardon my ignorance what are Seek! and Slide! ?
Seek – Find Shade , Slide – Put on some sunglasses
In this article Annaliese is mainly addressing the clothing we wear and the misconception that any shirt will protect us, That is her area of expertise given she is a producer of protective sun clothing. But of course, Sitting in the shade and wearing sunglasses are also beneficial.
Great post! And such important information to be told again and again. From one aussie to another, great work!! x Susana
http://www.susanalopessnarey.com/affordable-activewear/
So important as we’re going into summer. I remember when I told my oncologist I was moving to Australia, she literally cracked the sh*ts. I’ve tried to be extra sun cautious since moving here. I wasn’t aware that schools required students and staff to wear hats when playing outside. When I went for my first client, I got shamed by a bunch of 5 year olds for not wearing a hat.