HealthCert Blog

Sunscreen myths & controversies: effectiveness, best practice and Australian Standards

What advice do you give your patients about using sunscreen? In this webinar presentation, noted dermatologist Dr Melissa Manahan deep dives into all things sunscreen.

For further information on this topic, you may be interested to learn more about the HealthCert Professional Diploma program in General Dermatology.

This webinar provides valuable insights and practical advice and answers your colleagues’ most common questions, such as:

• How many melanomas might be prevented if more people applied sunscreen regularly and effectively?
• What does SPF actually mean?
• How to tailor sunscreen advice for different patient groups.
• What are the current controversies around the use of SPF and chemical concerns as well as TGA regulations?
• What should we tell patients about why their sunscreen didn’t work?

Delivered in conjunction with La Roche-Posay, this webinar provides valuable information and hints and tips for use in general practice.

Watch the full video below:

You can download the presentation slides here.

FAQs:

Can you keep sunscreen in the fridge?

With regards to keeping sunscreen in the fridge, our formulations have been tested to withstand the heat of the desert (45 degrees) and resist UV exposure of the equator tropic. It is also resistant to sub zero temperatures (-4). Therefore keeping it in the fridge would be fine.

Why do you need to wait 20 minutes after applying sunscreen to go out in the sun?

Letting the sunscreen dry allows it to form a more uniform film on the skin so that it can work better. Most sunscreens are emulsions (oil and water) and some will evaporate/absorb upon application which takes time. This is particularly important for water-resistant sunscreens.

Watch another video on general dermatology: How to manage hair loss in primary care