1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to give patients clear, practical and medically accurate instructions on how to choose and use sunscreen properly in the Australian UV environment. Sunscreen is treated as a daily medical protection tool, not just a beach product, because correct use helps reduce sunburn, premature ageing, pigmentation problems and skin cancer risk.^{1 4} This policy also ensures that all clinicians and staff at Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor give consistent sunscreen advice before and after cosmetic treatments, so patients are not confused by mixed messages.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all patients attending the clinic for cosmetic injectables, laser, IPL, skin treatments, peels or any procedure that can make the skin more sensitive to light, heat or inflammation. It also applies to all doctors, therapists and staff who give skin-care or post-treatment instructions, and to all written or digital patient materials produced by the clinic that mention sunscreen, sun protection or UV care.

3. Definitions

SPF (Sun Protection Factor): A number that tells you how well a sunscreen protects against UVB, the rays that burn the skin.¹

Broad spectrum: Means the sunscreen protects against both UVA (ageing, deep damage, pigmentation) and UVB (burning).^{1 4}

UVA rating: Often written as PA+, PA++, PA+++ or PA++++, or shown as “UVA” in a circle; a higher rating means stronger UVA protection.⁴

Water resistant: The sunscreen has been tested to stay effective for a set time (usually 40 or 80 minutes) while swimming or sweating.²

Physical (mineral) sunscreen: Uses ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to reflect or scatter UV.¹

Chemical sunscreen: Uses organic filters such as Tinosorb, Uvinul or Mexoryl that absorb UV and convert it to a small amount of heat.⁶

Staff should understand these basics so they can recommend the right product for each skin type and situation.

4. Policy Statement

Newcastle Cosmetic Doctor treats sunscreen as a medical-grade protective product, not an optional cosmetic. In line with Australian guidance, patients should use a sunscreen that is SPF50 or SPF50+, broad spectrum and ideally water resistant on any day when the UV Index is 3 or higher.^{1 3} Sunscreen should form part of the daily morning routine for all cosmetic patients, particularly those having laser, IPL, peels, pigment work or injectables in sun-exposed areas.

Clinicians and staff must give clear, consistent advice on sunscreen choice and application based on current recommendations from Cancer Council Australia, ARPANSA, SunSmart and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).^{1 2}

5. Choosing the Right Sunscreen & Reading the Packaging

Many people pick a sunscreen based on brand or feel, rather than what actually protects them. The clinic’s goal is to teach patients to read a sunscreen label like a medication label, not a beauty product.

5.1 Non-negotiables on the front of the pack

When looking at the front of the bottle, patients should be told to check for:

“SPF50” or “SPF50+”

In Australia, Cancer Council recommends SPF50 or SPF50+ for best protection when UV is 3 or above, and in this clinic we treat SPF50+ as the default standard.^{1 3}

“Broad spectrum”

If the words “broad spectrum” are not on the label, the sunscreen may not cover UVA as well as UVB, and patients should be instructed not to buy it.^{1 4}

“Water resistant” with a time (40 or 80 minutes)

For any outdoor, sweating or swimming activity, the label should say “water resistant 40 min” or “water resistant 80 min”, otherwise patients should assume it will come off quickly with water and sweat.^{1 5}

A visible UVA rating symbol

A PA+++ / PA++++ rating or a “UVA in a circle” logo indicates stronger UVA protection, which is important for pigmentation and anti-ageing.⁴

These four front-label items should become automatic checks for patients.

5.2 What to look for on the back of the pack

The back of the bottle is where the important details are found, and patients should be guided to look for:

A TGA listing number – “AUST L” or “AUST R”

This means the sunscreen is a regulated therapeutic product in Australia and must meet testing standards such as AS/NZS 2604.²

Expiry date

Products past their use-by date will not give proper protection and must not be used.¹

Directions for use

Wording such as “apply liberally” and “reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating or towel drying” matches Australian consumer guidance.^{1 2}

Skin type information

“Non-comedogenic” is preferable for acne-prone or oily skin, and “fragrance-free” is better for sensitive, reactive or post-procedure skin.^{1 6}

Storage instructions

Most products advise storage below 30°C and away from direct heat; patients should be told this is essential, not optional.²

Staff should actively show patients how to read the back of the pack during consults where sunscreen is discussed.

5.3 Choosing sunscreen by skin type and situation

The following guidance should be used when recommending specific sunscreens:

• General daily face use (most patients): SPF50 or SPF50+, broad spectrum, non-comedogenic lotion or fluid that sits well under makeup so patients will realistically use it year-round.^{1 6}
• Sensitive or post-laser / post-peel skin: Zinc-based or mineral sunscreens that are fragrance-free and marketed for sensitive skin are usually best tolerated on irritated, healing or reactive skin.^{1 6}
• Melasma, pigment and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): These patients should use high-UVA protection (for example PA++++ or a clear UVA symbol) and tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides to help block visible light, and they should be told that sunscreen is part of their treatment, not optional.⁶
• Oily or acne-prone skin: “Oil-free”, “matte”, “gel” or “fluid” formulas with non-comedogenic labelling reduce the chance of breakouts and improve adherence.⁶
• Outdoor work, sport, beach and pool: For high-exposure activities, recommend SPF50+, broad spectrum and preferably 80-minute water-resistant products that are easy to reapply as sprays, sticks or lotions.^{1 5}
• Children: Children should use SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen on exposed areas, with under six months focusing on shade and clothing as first-line protection in line with Australian advice.^{3 5}

Staff should personalise recommendations based on skin type, lifestyle and treatment plan but remain within these evidence-based boundaries.

5.4 What to ignore or be cautious about on the label

Patients should be warned not to rely on:

• Marketing terms alone – words like “natural”, “organic”, “clean” or “reef safe” do not guarantee effective UV protection or regulatory compliance.¹
• Imported sunscreens without a TGA number – these may be acceptable overseas but are not guaranteed to meet Australian testing standards or labelling rules.²
• SPF in makeup or moisturiser as the only sunscreen – these products are usually applied too thinly to provide the labelled SPF, so they should be regarded as a bonus layer, not the main one.^{1 2}
• Old products that look, smell or feel wrong – if a sunscreen is separated, watery, lumpy or smells unusual, it should be discarded even if the printed expiry date has not passed.¹

These points should be discussed verbally and reinforced in written patient materials.

6. Application – How to Actually Use Sunscreen Properly

6.1 General rules

Patients should be told some simple, non-negotiable rules: sunscreen should be applied every morning, not just for beach days; it should be the last step of skincare before makeup; it only works properly if enough is used; and it must be reapplied when they are in daylight for long periods, especially outdoors.^{1 3} Australian guidance consistently recommends liberal application and reapplication every two hours, or after swimming, sweating or towel drying.^{1 5}

6.2 Face application – step by step

Staff can use and repeat this clear script:

1. Do your normal morning skincare: cleanse, apply treatment serums if used, then moisturiser.
2. Apply sunscreen last: squeeze out two full finger-lengths of sunscreen on the index and middle finger.⁵
3. Dot the sunscreen over the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, eyelids, ears and neck.
4. Spread evenly so there are no obvious gaps or streaks; if the layer looks extremely thin or patchy, more product is needed.¹
5. Wait 2–3 minutes for the sunscreen to settle and form a protective film.^{1 2}
6. Apply makeup after that, if desired.

Patients must be told not to skip areas such as the eyelids, around the eyes, the tops and backs of the ears, the hairline, jawline and the back of the neck if exposed, as these are common sites of sun damage and skin cancers when left unprotected.⁶

6.3 Body application – practical explanation

The “teaspoon rule” should be explained in simple language: around one teaspoon each for the face and neck, each arm, the front of chest and stomach, and the upper and lower back, and around two teaspoons for each leg.¹ Staff should explain that taller or larger-framed patients will need more than this. A useful tip is to apply sunscreen before putting on swimwear or clothing so that seatbelt lines, straps, waistbands and necklines do not leave forgotten strips of unprotected skin.⁵

6.4 Reapplication – what it looks like in real life

Patients rarely understand what “reapply every two hours” means, so concrete examples should be used:

• Office worker near windows or driving daily: apply SPF50+ in the morning before leaving home, and if sitting next to a bright window or driving home in strong afternoon sun, ideally reapply to the face, neck and hands before leaving work.^{1 4}
• Beach, pool or outdoor family day: apply a full coat of SPF50+ to all exposed skin about 20 minutes before going outside, reapply every two hours and every time after swimming, sweating heavily or towel drying.^{1 5}
• Runner, tradie or outdoor worker: apply SPF50+ to the face, neck, ears, scalp (if thinning) and arms before going out, and keep a small tube or stick in the car or bag to reapply at breaks, especially if sweating or wiping the face frequently.⁵

A blunt rule of thumb should be communicated: if a patient has been out in the sun for a few hours and has not reapplied since morning, they should assume their sunscreen is not doing much.¹

6.5 Sunscreen and makeup

The policy should make it clear that SPF in foundation, BB cream or moisturiser is not enough by itself because it is usually applied too thinly to provide full labelled protection.^{1 2} A dedicated SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen layer is required first, and once it has settled patients can apply primer, foundation or other makeup as usual. For reapplication over makeup, practical options include SPF sprays or mists, tinted sunscreen cushions, powder SPFs or sticks applied gently across high-exposure areas like the nose, cheeks and forehead.⁶

6.6 Wet skin, sweat and swimming

Water, sweat and rubbing strip sunscreen quickly, so patients need clear instructions: after swimming, heavy sweating or towel drying, sunscreen should be assumed to be mostly gone.^{1 3} The correct process is to pat the skin dry (not scrub), reapply sunscreen generously to all exposed areas, and wait around 10–15 minutes before going back into full sun or water when possible.^{1 5} If a product is not labelled as water resistant, it should be treated as highly vulnerable to being washed off, and patients should reapply even more frequently when in and out of water.⁴

6.7 Sprays, sticks and gels

Some patients prefer non-cream formats:

• Spray sunscreens must still be rubbed in after spraying to avoid patchiness, should not be sprayed directly onto the face (spray onto the hands first), and the mist should not be inhaled, especially in children.¹
• Stick sunscreens are useful for noses, ears, lips, around the eyes, beard lines and scalps, and are convenient for pocket or bag reapplication through the day.⁶
• Gel and fluid sunscreens are often better accepted by men and by patients with oily or acne-prone skin, and spread easily through hairy areas like arms, legs and chest.⁶

Staff should offer these formats to improve long-term adherence where traditional creams are disliked.

6.8 Forgotten zones – lips, hands, scalp and more

The policy should specifically mention common “missed” areas: lips need an SPF30+ or SPF50+ lip balm, especially at the beach or outdoors; the backs of the hands receive very high lifetime UV and should get leftover face sunscreen; thinning or shaved scalps need sunscreen (spray, lotion or stick) or a hat; and ears, sides of the face and the back of the neck should be deliberately covered whenever sunscreen is applied to the face.^{1 6} These zones are critical for long-term cancer prevention and cosmetic outcomes.

7. Special Populations

Melasma and pigment-prone patients require high-UVA, broad-spectrum and ideally tinted sunscreens with iron oxides, along with strict reapplication, as part of their treatment.⁶ Acne-prone patients should use non-comedogenic, oil-free, gel or fluid formulas to minimise breakouts and support daily use.⁶ Sensitive or post-procedure skin usually tolerates fragrance-free zinc-based sunscreens best, and this should be emphasised after laser and peels.^{1 6} Children should follow Cancer Council and SunSmart guidance, with shade and clothing first, and SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen used on exposed areas, with extra care under one year of age.^{3 5}

8. Storage

Sunscreen must be stored below 30°C and away from direct sun and heat sources such as cars, dashboards or pool decks, because high temperatures degrade filters and reduce protection.² Products exposed to heat or long-term storage should be replaced if they change texture, colour or smell, even if the printed expiry date has not passed.¹

9. Common Patient Errors

Staff should routinely correct the following errors: using far too little sunscreen; forgetting sensitive high-risk sites such as eyelids, ears, neck, scalp and hands; not reapplying during long periods outdoors; relying on makeup or moisturiser with SPF as the only sunscreen layer; and using expired or heat-damaged bottles.^{1 6} These behaviours are recognised in Australian public-health messaging as the main reasons sunscreen “doesn’t work” for many people.^{1 5}

10. Staff Responsibilities

Doctors and injectors must explain sunscreen choice and application as part of treatment plans, especially for laser, pigment and high-UV-risk patients, and must document this advice in the notes. Therapists and skin clinicians should demonstrate correct application techniques when appropriate and reinforce reapplication rules at each visit. Reception and admin staff may provide printed information and direct patients to clinic resources but should refer detailed clinical questions back to treating clinicians.⁶

11. Patient Education Materials

The clinic will provide a simple written or digital SPF guide explaining how much to use and when to reapply, diagrams showing coverage for face, neck and body, a label checklist so patients know what to look for on sunscreen packaging, and a list of clinic-approved sunscreens that meet Australian SPF, broad-spectrum and water-resistant standards.^{1 2}

12. Training & Audit

All staff involved in patient care must complete annual training on sun protection and sunscreen advice. The clinic will periodically audit documentation and patient materials to ensure this policy is being followed, and the content will be reviewed at least once a year, or sooner if Cancer Council, ARPANSA, SunSmart or TGA guidance changes.^{1 2}

Sources

1. Cancer Council Australia (2025). All about sunscreen and sun safety [online]. Cancer Council Australia. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/sunscreen (Accessed 21 November 2025). ↩
2. Therapeutic Goods Administration (2019). Australian regulatory guidelines for sunscreens (ARGS) [pdf]. Canberra: TGA. Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/australian-regulatory-guidelines-for-sunscreens.pdf (Accessed 21 November 2025). ↩
3. Cancer Council Australia (2024). About SPF50+ sunscreen [online]. Cancer Council Australia. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/about-sunscreen/spf50-sunscreen (Accessed 21 November 2025). ↩
4. Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) (2024). Sun protection using sunscreens [online]. ARPANSA. Available at: https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/radiation-sources/more-radiation-sources/sun-protection-sunscreen (Accessed 21 November 2025). ↩
5. SunSmart (Cancer Council Victoria) (2022). Sunscreen information sheet [pdf]. SunSmart. Available at: https://www.sunsmart.com.au/downloads/resources/info-sheets/sunscreen-info-sheet.pdf (Accessed 21 November 2025). ↩
6. Morriss S, Scardamaglia L (2025). ‘Sun protection: a practical guide for health professionals’, Australian Prescriber, 48(5), pp. 173–178. Available at: https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/sun-protection-a-practical-guide-for-health-professionals.html (Accessed 21 November 2025). ↩