Skin care | Inside the SunSense UV Photobus

Inside the SunSense UV Photobus

01 Dec 2011 11:41 AM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

If you’re a sun worshipper, listen up! You may not even know how much irreversible damage you’re doing to your skin.

Don’t believe me? We sent two Melbourne-based beautyheaven Roving Reporters (Ling and Centaine) to Federation Square yesterday to visit the bus and give us the lowdown on what we should know about sun damage and our skin.

Here’s what Ling had to say about her experience:

“For the uninitiated, the SunSense UV Photobus has been travelling around Australia and stopping off at selected locations. And inside the bus is a precious UV camera, which takes a photo of your face and reveals the hidden damage from UV rays. There are a team of skin care consultants on board to analyse the results and educate you on sun care and prevention of further UV damage. The UV camera took 3-4 seconds to capture the required image and it was another 5 minutes before the results were printed. When I was handed the printout, I GASPED! Look at me!!! I didn’t know how to analyse the numbers and whatnot, but the UV picture freaked me out.

My result was 85%. And 85% means that I have 85% less UV damage than other Asian females in my age range. You should have seen the BIG smile on my face afterwards!

Anyway, the damage seen in the UV photo is irreversible, but it can be stabilised - and the only way to stop it from getting worse is to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen all year round. Also, we have to learn to reapply every 3-4 hours, not just in the mornings!” - Ling

BH’s Centaine had a similar experience on the bus…

“After having your UV photo printed, a SunSense skin care specialist will analyse your photo with you and recommend products and sun care to prevent further UV damage. I was surprised at the amount of UV damage on my skin but learnt that 80% of our lifetime sun exposure occurs before 18 years of age. So, most UV damage occurs as a child. I was recommended an SPF 30+ lip balm as the most UV damage was around my lip area. I was also recommended SunSense Daily Face and sent home with a big bag of samples of all the recommended products.

SunSense found during their tour up the east of Australia, UV damage was worse in the country towns they visited on their way down to Melbourne. This shows you don't just need sunscreen at the beach! This was such a great experience especially coming into summer and I was glad to see plenty of Melbournians lining up for their SunSense skin check!" - Centaine

What steps do you take to protect your skin from sun damage?

Don't you wish you knew what you know now, then?

We just may have a secret weapon for you...

Member Comments (43)

Posted by: Green_Jaguar (Australia)

The UV Camera pictures are amazing. I have already had to deal with skin cancer so I never go out without sunscreen, hat, long sleeves. I more likely to go to the beach in winter.......never summer, and where possible I am never out in the middle of the day. Lucky for me I am naturally a night owl!!

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 12:22pm)

Posted by: katshepsutt (Australia)

What a brilliant idea! Unfortunately some of us simply don't get the message until the proof is there before us in black and white. I hope this bus is coming to Sydney next - please don't tell me it's already been...
Haven't sun baked for over 20 years, always wear sun screen, and a hat and sunnies when I'm working in the garden. Just recently found out I have a vitamin D deficiency, but I'd rather take supplements than deal with more UV damage than what's already occurred in my sun-worshipping youth...

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 12:35pm)

Posted by: Evanescencessy (Australia)

Thanks Ling and Centaine for getting all the goss on this event. I must admit I have only started wearing sunscreen on my face in the last 6 months...really bad!!!! I now wear it everyday, regardless of the weather - be it sunny or cloudy.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 1:02pm)

Posted by: Rewalize (Australia)

I normally use sunblock in the morning ... but am extremely guilty of NOT reapplying ... and I've never thought of using SPF on my lips!?!? Will now! I'm also going to BUMP UP my daughters sun care regime ... seeing as most UV damage is done before the age of 18! Thanks for the info Centaine and Ling! ♥

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 1:22pm)

Posted by: xyling (Australia)

I was SUPER DUPER shocked at the results...!!! I should have removed my eye make-up and lipstick too but I didn't want to scare the public!!! LOL

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 1:48pm)

Posted by: lilpreeny (Australia)

This would be scary to see I think! But I am vigilant about sunscreen every single day, luckily!

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 1:58pm)

Posted by: softness (Member since 2007, Australia)

I'm what you could call a 'sunscreen fanatic' for my face and I've been that way for decades now thank goodness. I initially started up like this because over 20 years ago it wasn't law for dispersion covers to be in place over UV lighting. At work when I was 19 I had an uncovered UV tube light in the room where I worked so I sought out a face cream with sunblock to wear everyday to work for INSIDE purposes! Thank goodness the law came in that dispersion coverings had to be in place over UV lights. In any case, having to wear a SPF on my face everyday to work probably did my skin good when I went outdoors too! It's one beauty product I can be glad I purchased!

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 2:12pm)

Posted by: Doreta (Australia)

I usually just put sunscreen under my makeup in the morning. I think I should start on using tinted moisturiser and re-apply sunscreen throughout the day. Hopefully the bus will go to Adelaide so I can catch it :D

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 2:32pm)

Posted by: SMP-kitten (Member since 2008, Australia)

I really try to take care of my skin. I always carry sunscreen in my bag and if I know Im going to be outside for a while I apply sunscreen or wear a light cardigan or long sleeved white shirt or something. I always apply a SPF makeup base as well, but Im just so damned pale that Im sure my skin suffered tonnes when I was younger.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 2:47pm)

Posted by: Tashii (Australia)

Heck! they look pretty scaring :|
i never wore sunscreen any where but now i wont leave the house without it!
Its so true that we don't do anything until we see the problem and by then its just far too late
great article BH good timing for summer too ;)

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 2:52pm)

Posted by: Neilrawson (Australia)

I have sun damaged skin caused from when I was younger. Sun spots, leathery look of face, and wrinkles are the result of too much sun. That is why beauty products are an important part of my life now.
From my 20's it was found to be important to keep out of the sun because of skin cancer, damage had already been done but from about 22 yo I put on a hat, sunscreen and UV protection rash vest when swimming . I limited my time in the sun as well. These days when it is hot I take the kids too our indoor swimming pool and then later on in the day we go to rivers or the beach for barbecues, when the sun has lowered and is not as intense.
###Sandra

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 3:02pm)

Posted by: Platinum Ms (Australia)

I experience something similar at a beauty counter many years ago and it was scary to see the sun damage when I was 20, so I try an use a tint or foundation with sun protection or not stay in it too long as Nth Qld sun has a bite in it thats for sure.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 3:17pm)

Posted by: Tinaaa (Australia)

i would be too scared to go and get my face scanned :\ while i was younger i use to always be out in the sun, without sunscreen.. these days i put spf 50 sunscreen on, summer or winter!

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 4:18pm)

Posted by: xoylee (Australia)

Wow, I really wish I could have taken a UV photo of myself! The experience would have been so enlightening.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 4:22pm)

Posted by: Emzaau (Australia)

I'd hate to imagine how my face would look under the UV camera. I'm diligent with sun protection but I'm prone to sun spots and small freckles due to my fair skin.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 4:44pm)

Posted by: Beauty Wise (Australia)

Pretty scary stuff, but I think that's what most of us need.Is to get a kick up the back side and be aware of the sun and wear sunscreen and a hat.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 4:58pm)

Posted by: Blondie58 (Australia)

I don't think I would like to see my skin under the uv screen, I am careful and don't go in the sun but I bet it still wouldn't look pretty..

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 5:17pm)

Posted by: Hippy (Australia)

I'd love this bus to come to Canberra sometime. It would be great to see how I go, but i know that I haven't been very sunsafe.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 6:13pm)

Posted by: Princess Fiona1 (Member since 2007, Australia)

oh to be able to un-do the sunbaking of the past.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 6:29pm)

Posted by: Discomilk (Australia)

I love to wear spf30 lipbalm everyday underneath lipstick/gloss. I wear spf15 on my face prior to applying my makeup. I always carry around a bottle of travel sunscreen in my bag, and always put some sunscreen on before leaving the house (i have a bottle on my dresser - one in my handbag for reapplying later). I wear protective clothing where possible. I don't sunbake - i have never done that in my life. I also try to avoid going out in direct sun between the hours of 10-4 during the day. I do party work outside though for a good a hour, so i always make sure ive got sunscreen on. Hats are also really important, and sunglasses to protect your eyes!!!

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 8:38pm)

Posted by: beautyqueen95♥ (Australia)

Thats so scary!

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 8:58pm)

Posted by: iluvfacialz (Member since 2007, Australia)

I do wish I hadn't been so worried about getting a tan back when I was a teenager. I have naturally fair skin and I would spend hours on the beach, tanning, burning. My Nan passed away 4 years ago to Melanoma and I'm praying that it doesn't happen to me as I get older. I make sure I regularly see my Skin Cancer Dr. every 6 months, I always have to get some burnt off, they're always popping up. I haven't sunbaked in over 10 years and I never will again. Now my daughter is a teen and at the beach all the time, lucky for her she has lovely olive skin (although that doesn't matter - but she just doesn't burn like I did). I have started her off early though going to the Skin Cancer Dr, she goes every 6 months also, luckily she's had nothing so far but it's something you have to be so careful of. After seeing my Nan die from skin cancer, .....it's the most horrific and painful way to die.

Posted on: December 01, 2011 (Dec 1, 2011 11:08pm)

Posted by: JC2409 (Australia)

I really hope the bus comes to Brisbane, I am really interested to find out how I score

Posted on: December 02, 2011 (Dec 2, 2011 12:16am)

Posted by: Li (Australia)

I admit I'm not great when it comes to applying (and re-applying) sunscreen. I will put it on, but it's usually on days which I know are going to be extremely hot. However, I don't tend to spend lengthy periods of time in the sun (I know, I should still apply sunscreen...)

Posted on: December 02, 2011 (Dec 2, 2011 10:03am)

Posted by: missmisss (Australia)

wow that's so interseting. I'm obsessed with sunscreen. Stupidly when I was younger I use to not wear it and got burnt badly a few times and then started to realise that my freckles my complexion so unclear. I decided then and there that in order to prevent this getting any worse I wear SPF 30 every day on my face! You can always wear makeup to make you look more tanned

Posted on: December 02, 2011 (Dec 2, 2011 10:31am)