Shade Australia: Leaders in supply of shade awnings, shade gazebos and cantilever umbrellas

The sun's ultra violet rays stimulate skin cells to produce a dark pigment called melanin.

All skins have the same number of melanin-producing cells (melanocytes), but some produce more melanin than others. Fair skinned people, for example, produce less melanin than dark skinned people.

The amount of melanin which your skin produces determines the colour and the depth of tan that you may or may not acquire as the case may be.

Redheads, fair skinned people and those who freckle need to take extra care in the sun.

No skin, tanned, fair or otherwise should stay unprotected in direct sunlight for any length of time.

When the sun's ultra violet rays penetrate the skin they injure living cells, making them swell and the skin burn.

In an effort to prevent further injury, your skin develops a tan - but this, in fact, is its attempt to defend itself against the harshness of the sun. A tan is literally skin damage - damage that builds up, year after year, tan after tan. Apart from the risk of skin cancer, over-exposure to sun makes skin dry, wrinkled and less elastic. Once this has happened, no lotion or potion can reverse the process - the attraction of a tan pales somewhat when you consider that more and more young people in their teens and 20s are developing leathery, lined skin years before their time. It's just not a good look.

Time of day is a major skin risk time. The hours of 10am to 3pm. You are particularly at risk if you: work outdoors; get large and sudden doses of sun on the weekend after working indoors all week; have a bald head; or are a fair skinned newcomer to the hot Australian climate. Babies, small children and elderly people are also highly sensitive to UV radiation.

The best protection against skin cancer is to minimise exposure to the cause - exposure to sun.

Wherever you are, try to take these simple precautions: Avoid being in the sun, particularly midday sun, as much as possible. YOU'LL FIND THE SHADE A WHOLE LOT COOLER.

When outdoors, SLIP SLOP SLAP is important. Wear a shady hat and protective clothing such as shirt with sleeves, a beach jacket etc. Use SPF 30+ Broadspectrum sunscreen on any exposed parts of your body. Use it when working, gardening, walking to the shops, playing sport, as well as on the beach. But don't rely on one application if you are outside for a long period time, particularly if you are perspiring or you've been swimming. It's important that your skin is dry before you apply sunscreen.

Remember, you don't have to be in direct sunlight to get sun damage. Sand, snow, water, buildings, bitumen, all reflect ultra violet rays - this means you can get burnt, for example, sitting under a beach umbrella on a bright day. Ultra violet rays can pass though water and clouds, even on overcast days. On the other hand, trees, grass and earth all absorb ultra violet rays - so moving from sand at the beach to shaded, grassy areas will protect you from burning.