The apparent early arrival of summer this year with stunning Labour Weekend weather is a timely reminder to be SunSmart.

This Sun Protection Alert updates daily with the seasons as a reminder for the hours protection is needed.

Another useful tool is the New Zealand developed smartphone app UVLens which is available for  Apple iOS and Google Play for Android. The UVLens app allows you to personalise the warnings to your skin type, hair colour etc.

Sun protection is the main method we have to prevent skin cancer. Research confirms that it is never too late to use sun protection with people later in life who use regular sunscreen having fewer skin cancers than those who use it intermittently. In Australia melanoma rates have peaked and are starting to drop as the group targeted by their SunSmart campaign are replacing the generations who grew up with no sun protection. Unfortunately in New Zealand we are not yet seeing that trend and dying of melanoma is not something we want to beat the Australians at.

Enjoy the lovely sunny weather but remember to be SunSmart.