Did you know that just 15 minutes of unprotected exposure when UV levels are 3 or above is enough to start causing damage to your skin.

This is a crucial fact that many Australians don't realise.

In very fair-skinned people, UV radiation starts becoming harmful after about 5 to 10 minutes.

For some people, unprotected skin can start to burn (visible damage) in as little as 11 minutes on days with extreme levels of UV radiation.

The general rule is to protect your skin when the UV index is 3 or above, which in Australia occurs most months of the year and peaks in the middle of the day, often reaching extreme levels in summer.

In South Australia, sun protection is usually needed from the beginning of August until the end of April, though in some parts of the state UV can reach 3 and above all year round.

At least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70 .

In 2021, 2,220 people died from skin cancer in Australia - 1,455 from melanoma and 765 from non-melanoma skin cancers

- Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with the age-standardised incidence rate of melanoma in 2008 being more than 12 times the average global rate.

95 per cent of melanoma and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

The original "Slip, Slop, Slap" campaign told Australians to slip on sun protective clothing, slop on water resistant, broad spectrum, SPF50+ sunscreen and slap on a broad-brimmed hat.

In 2007, two crucial steps were added: seek shade and slide on a pair of sunglasses.

The Complete 5 Steps:

• SLIP on sun-protective clothing covering as much skin as possible.
• SLOP on SPF 50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen (reapply every 2 hours).
• SLAP on a broad-brimmed hat (at least 7.5cm brim)
• SEEK shade, especially between 10am-4pm.
• SLIDE on wrap-around sunglasses that meet Australian standards.

UV vs Temperature: UV radiation is often confused with infrared radiation (heat).

Temperature does not affect UV radiation levels - UV can be just as high on a cool or even cold day as it is on a hot one, especially if skies are clear.

Even when it's cloudy or cool, you need to protect your skin, as UV radiation and sun damage can happen any day of the year when the UV index is 3 or higher.

Intense sun exposure in the first 10 years of life has been shown to nearly double the lifetime risk of melanoma.

- Download the free SunSmart Global UV app

- Check the Bureau of Meteorology website

- Check your phone's weather app

- Look in daily newspapers.

Outdoor workers receive up to ten times more UV exposure than indoor workers, putting them at greater risk of skin cancer, and should use sun protection every day regardless of the UV rating.

For most people, 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight every day is enough to maintain a healthy supply of vitamin D, and regular day-to-day outdoor activities provide adequate sun exposure to maintain optimal vitamin D levels.

In Australia, there's no such thing as a "safe tan" - tanning is damaged skin cells producing melanin to protect themselves, and one damaged cell can start a deadly melanoma growing.

Always check the UV index and protect yourself when it's 3 or above. With just 15 minutes being enough to cause damage, sun protection should be a daily habit, not just for hot, sunny days.