Dr Priska McDonald is a consultant dermatologist with expertise in skin cancer, including melanoma, holding appointments at The Alfred Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. We're excited to welcome Dr Priska McDonald to our Expert Medical Panel, bringing her expertise to our Solbari community.
Read more about our Expert Medical Panel here.
What makes UV exposure particularly dangerous?
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and UV exposure can reach extreme levels, making skin protection critical. Here's why:
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Extreme UV levels: UV radiation levels above 3 require sun protection. In an Australian summer, UV levels often exceed 11—classified as "extreme." At this level, sunburns can occur within minutes. Even on cloudy days, UV radiation remains high, which can be particularly dangerous because people often underestimate their need for sun protection. Even in colder months, UV levels can remain at 3 or above.
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There’s no such thing as a 'healthy tan': A tan is not a sign of good health. It indicates that your skin's DNA has been damaged, prompting the release of pigment for protection. This DNA damage can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma.
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The impact of a single sunburn: It only takes one sunburn to trigger DNA damage that may result in skin cancer. The risk is cumulative, but every instance of sunburns increases your risk. It’s important that we protect ourselves all year not just in the summer months.
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Long-term consequences of UV exposure: Consistent UV exposure not only increases the risk of skin cancer but also causes other skin concerns like pigmentary disorders (e.g., melasma) and accelerates premature ageing, including wrinkles, sunspots and loss of skin elasticity.
What’s your advice for selecting UPF 50+ clothing and accessories?
Choosing the right UPF 50+ clothing and accessories is a great way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Here’s what to consider:
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Match clothing to your activities: Think about how and where you spend time in the sun—whether it’s leisure activities, like playing golf or walking the dog, or day-to-day activities UPF 50+ sun hats, clothing and accessories that suit those activities will ensure effective protection is provided as the fabrics block at least 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
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Don’t forget accessories: If you spend time driving or walking with a pram, gloves are important to protect your hands, which are often exposed to UV rays. In fact, while car windshields block about 96% of UV radiation, side windows only block around 71% of damaging rays. To stay protected, wear protective apparel like a hat and driving gloves. These can help shield you from harmful UV rays that glass windows cannot completely block.
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Pick the right hat: A wide-brim hat is an excellent solution to shield your face, ears and neck from the sun.
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Focus on fabric weight and breathability: When you’re out in the heat, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics to stay cool while maintaining protection.
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Protect hard-to-reach areas: Consider parts of your body where reapplying sunscreen can be difficult, such as your back, shoulders or arms. Choosing UPF 50+ clothing and accessories can ensure those areas stay protected throughout the day.
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Do your research: Make sure the clothing and accessories you choose are tried and tested under Australian conditions and are approved by government agencies. Brands that meet these standards give you peace of mind that you’re getting reliable, high-quality sun protection.
What advice do you give to skin cancer patients and survivors faced with “sun anxiety” but equally want to embrace the outdoors? How can UPF 50+ clothing and accessories from Solbari empower them?
Although protecting ourselves from the sun is important, we cannot hide indoors and we don’t have to. Those affected by skin cancer or at risk of skin cancers can still enjoy the outdoors safely all year round.
When wearing protective clothing with a UPF 50+ rating, you can be reassured that at least 98% of harmful UV rays are being blocked. Clothing takes the stress out of constantly needing to reapply sunscreen.
UPF 50+ clothing and accessories give skin cancer survivors the confidence to enjoy the outdoors.
How does proper skin protection support in maintaining healthy and youthful skin by reducing age spots and other UV-related damage?
Proper skin protection is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful skin, as UV exposure is the primary cause of skin ageing. Many people underestimate UV damage, not realising it can occur even when they feel protected—such as driving a car, where UV radiation penetrates through windows, or wearing hats with holes or insufficient coverage. Premature ageing, including wrinkles, age spots, broken blood vessels, and pigmentary disorders like melasma, commonly appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, chest and hands. Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing “healthy” about a tan; it’s a sign of DNA damage that accelerates ageing and increases the risk of skin cancer.
The good news is that sun protection is the most effective anti-ageing measure. This includes combining the use of sunscreen, UPF 50+ clothing, wide-brim hats, sunglasses and shade. By consistently reducing cumulative UV exposure, we not only slow down the visible signs of ageing but also lower the risk of skin cancer. Protecting your skin isn’t just about anti-ageing—it’s about long-term skin health.
By combining these protective measures — sunscreen, UPF 50+ clothing and access to shade — you can confidently embrace your outdoor adventures while keeping your skin protected.
