DID YOU KNOW?◗ Sun exposure is an effective sourceof vitamin D which helps us absorbcalcium for stronger, healthier bones.However it doesn’t take much time inthe sun for most people to get thevitamin D they need.◗ Statistics show Australia has thehighest rate of skin cancer in theworld which claims over 1000 liveseach year.◗ Unprotected exposures to the sun upto the age of about 15 years can morethan double your risk of developingskin cancer later in life.

NEXTWEEK’STOPIC:SUMMERSENSATION

NEXTWEEK’STOPIC:SUMMERSENSATION

YOUR skin performs many duties. Withoutskin, your muscles, bones, and organswould be hanging out all over the place.It offers protection from outside ele-

ments and infections, helps your bodyregulate its temperature, allows you tohave the sense of touch, serves to rid yourbody of toxins and gives colour to yourappearance. It is therefore imperative thatyou take good care of it.One of the most important things you

can do this summer when you are out-doors is to protect your skin by being SunSmart. Exposure to harmful ultravioletradiation increases the risk of skin cancerso it’s very important to be sun safe. Learnto ‘block out the sun not the fun’ by follow-ing these sun-protection tips.◗ Slip on a long sleeve shirt or rashie.◗ Slop on sunscreen and remember tore-apply.◗ Slap on a hat.◗ Slide some sunglasses on.◗ Seek shade whenever you can.◗ Stay out of the sun during the hottestpart of the day.

UV ALERTThe light that the sun radiates to the earthconsists of three types of invisible ultravio-let rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC which arethe most dangerous, but fortunately, theserays are blocked by the ozone layer anddon’t reach the earth. Levels of ultraviolet(UV) radiation from the sun changethroughout the day and each seasonthroughout the year. The total amount ofUV radiation present at a given location isaffected by: closeness to the equator; timeof day; time of year; cloud cover; altitude;scattering; reflection. When UVA and UVBrays reach the skin, they can burn.Repeated unprotected exposure to the

sun’s ultraviolet rayscan cause skindamage, eyedamage, im-mune system

suppression and skin cancer. What’simportant is to protect yourself fromexposure to these rays.Check the UV alert on the weatherpage in the newspaper or check out theBureau of Meteorology’s website tofind out the best time to play outdoors.

SUNBURNThere is no cure for sunburn, but thereare a few things you can do to relievethe symptoms.◗ Take a cool bath or shower, or gentlyapply cool, wet compresses to the skinto help alleviate pain and heat.◗ Drink plenty of water to rehydrate◗ Apply a recommended spray-onproduct like Aloe Vera to help soothethe sunburn and moisturize the skin◗ Keep out of the sun until your skinhas completely healed.◗ Consult a doctor if sunburn is severe

TIPGet your skin checked by your doctoror dermatologist and seek advice ifyou notice a new or changing mark onthe skin. Don’t ignore the mole thatgets bigger or changes shape.

Look after the whole package, it’s your skin

Health Hub, Skin ScanHealth Hub, Skin Scan

New sun protectionfactorBY MID January next year you arelikely to see SPF50+ sunscreens onthe shelves of pharmacies andsupermarkets.A new standard has allowedmanufacturers to increase the sunprotection factor in sunscreens fromSPF30+ to SPF50+ and add improvedUVA protection. Chair of CancerCouncil Australia’s Skin CancerCommittee, Terry Slevin, welcomedthe new standard, but warnedconsumers not to overestimate thenew level of protection.“SPF50+ filters out 98% of UVBradiation compared to 96.7% blockedby SPF30. It’s not a suit of armour; itneeds to be applied just asgenerously, reapplied every twohours, and used in conjunction withprotective clothing, abroad-brimmed hat, sunglassesand shade.”Mr Slevin said there was noneed to throw away your currentsunscreen.“Any sunscreen of at leastSPF30 which is labelled aswater-resistant andbroad-spectrum offers goodprotection.”

Will U?WILL the new Nintendo Wii U be onyour Christmas list this year? Thelatest gaming console was launchedin Australia on November 30 and islikely to be in demand as a gift to putunder the tree.The Nintendo Wii U comes with atouch screen controller creating anew way into the videogame world.It comes in two versions: a ‘basic’package costing $349.95 RRP anda premium ‘deluxe’ set to cost

$429.95 RRP.

WHAT’S NEWS

TASKTIMEONLINE

TASKTIMEONLINE

According to the latesthousing affordability

index, which Australian city isthe most affordable?

1

QUIZ TIMEEach week we will test yourknowledge on what’s beenhappening in the news.For the answersvisit NiEonline.

QUIZ TIMEEach week we will test yourknowledge on what’s beenhappening in the news.For the answersvisit NiEonline.

After weeks of violence,there is a ceasefire

between the territories ofPalestine and which othercountry?

3

Which movie made itsworld premiere in New

Zealand last week?

2

GO ONLINE by visiting yournewspaper’s website. You’ll find theaddress on the front page. Look forthe NiE logo at the top of the page andclick through to APN’s NiE webpage.

Love Your SkinThe largest organ of the human bodyis the skin so it is very important tolook after it. Your skin has manyfunctions but can be easily damaged.Be comfortable in your own skin anddo this week’s activities to help youbecome more aware of how best tolook after it.

User: greg.dawkins Time: 12-03-2012 10:48 Product: SSH PubDate: 03-12-2012 Zone: All Edition: Main Page: SHARED_14 Color: CMYK