Thanks to UV Triplegard, here is your chance to be sunsmart and look hot with; $100 Sunglass Hut Gift Voucher + UV Triplegard Hydrating Face Sunscreen Cream SPF30+ & Sensitive Sunscren Lotion SPF30+.

Skin Cancer or Premature Aging - Are you at risk?

Australians have an alarmingly low awareness of cancer-causing UV rays. 3 out of 5 Australians have never heard of UVA or UVB rays.

A recent Newspoll survey quizzing Australians on their knowledge of harmful UV rays revealed that 60 per cent had not heard of UVA rays and 63 per cent had not heard of UVB rays. This is a frightening statistic considering Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world and both UVA and UVB rays are known to be an important factors in the causation of skin cancer.

Perhaps even more surprising, the survey found that over 40 per cent of Australians are unaware that exposure to UVA or UVB rays increases the chance of developing skin cancer. This raises concerns for Professor John Thompson from The Melanoma Foundation who says: "If Australians are unaware of the causes of skin cancer, then they may not be taking the right steps to prevention.

"Three Australians a day die from skin cancer, so it is essential that as a nation we practice safe sun protection. We believe that in the fight against skin cancer, it is important to use a sunscreen that filters against both UVA and UVB rays together with physical protection - a broad brimmed hat, appropriate clothing and remaining in the shade whenever possible, in particular staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day," he said.

"It is also important for Australians to understand the harmful effects of the sun's ultra violet rays. UVB rays cause sunburn and skin cancer while the deeper penetrating UVA rays are responsible for premature skin ageing as well as skin cancer," continued Professor Thompson.

When choosing a sunscreen we traditionally looked for a high level of SPF - which represents the level of UVB protection, but until now there has been no clear indication of the level of UVA protection. UV Triplegard's star rating system clearly indicates the level of UVA protection relative to the SPF (UVB) protection.

4 stars signify the maximum level of UVA protection within this rating system. So choosing a sunscreen with high SPF protection and 4 star UVA rating gives you the confidence of protection from both burning UVB and ageing UVA. The UVA Star Rating System is Proprietary to The Boots Group PLC.

While Broad Spectrum sunscreens have long been available on the Australian market, 'Broad Spectrum' protection claims only need to provide assurance of the minimum UVA protection as required by the Australian Standard. The new UV Triplegard with UVA 4 star maximum rating goes beyond the minimum required Australian Standard of UVA protection.

UV Triplegard Hydrating Face Sunscreen Cream SPF30+ with a maximum 4-Star UVA rating - Contains vitamin E, jojoba oil and aloe vera so as well as protecting, it moisturises. UV Triplegard Hydrating Face is available in a 75mL tube for around $9.00
UV Triplegard Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF30+ with a maximum 4-Star UVA rating - Fragrance free, it is ideal for use by people with sensitive skin and is gentle enough to use on children (over 6 months). Available in a convenient 100mL tube.

UV Triplegard SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion with a maximum 4-Star UVA rating - All- over sunscreen protection available in family sized 500mL pump packs, 250mL bottle and convenient 100mL tube.

Mandatory Statement:
Always read the label. Use only as directed. The risk of some skin cancers can be reduced with sun protection. We recommend sunscreen, protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, shade and avoidance of prolonged exposure to the sun. **

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