Soap box: Dr Nina Wines

Dr Nina Wines, a Sydney dermatologist and brand ambassador for Olay Complete Defense SPF30+ tells Your Beauty Spot that many women are still risking developing skin cancer because they are not covering up from the sun.

ARTICLE: Skincare for all ages

Research recently conducted by skincare brand Olay has revealed a staggering 4.2 million Australian women are living in a household in which someone has been affected by skin cancer, and 1.2 million have actually been diagnosed with skin cancer themselves.

The startling survey findings show Australian women are continuing to risk their lives by exposing their skin to damaging UVA and UVB rays, with some still believing the only time they need to protect their skin is during summer.

Around 1.8 million are prepared to take the risk of not covering up in summer at all and around a quarter of women are only using sun protection once a week or less. This is really disturbing to hear as a dermatologist, as I see the devastating effects of sun exposure on a daily basis.

These findings really reflect how bad the situation is in Australia. People still believe that you have to be on the beach sunbaking to get skin cancer. Every second patient I see does not know how to correctly apply sunscreen. Sunscreen and SPF moisturisers need to be applied at the beginning of the day and then ideally again every two hours for adequate sun protection, which might seem like a lot but it is a necessity, especially if you work outdoors or spend time in the car commuting — it all adds up.

You can minimise the damage so easily by taking just few simple steps, such as covering up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses, staying out of the sun as much as possible especially between 11am and 3pm and using an SPF 30+ moisturiser every day.

I carry Olay Complete Defense SPF30+ in my handbag so that I can reapply it often. I use a large amount — about the size of a 50 cent coin to completely cover my face, neck, décolletage and even the backs of my hands. I couldn't live without it.

Skin cancer affects women of all ages and touches the lives, in one form or another, of almost all Australians, so it is important to protect your skin from UV exposure every day and throughout the year — not just in summer.

For more information on Dr Nina Wines, visit www.drninawines.com.

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