I have a story for you, that actually started a few weeks ago, on a balmy afternoon in our Surry Hills office. Temperature: 32. UV: high. Vibes: higher.

Suntanning came up over lunch (as it tends to when the weather’s showing off), and we decided to throw the topic to our Instagram audience. We asked our audience: ‘What do you want to know about the effect of sun on your skin?’

We were inundated. 

So today, we’re diving into your most-asked questions. And to answer those questions is Dr Ritu Gupta, a medical and cosmetic dermatologist.

Just a quick note before we get started: This morning’s newsletter is sponsored by Cancer Council and the Australian Government’s End The Trend, but this newsletter has still gone through our normal editorial processes.

Q: Can you get skin damage without sunburn?

A: You don’t have to get a sunburn to damage your skin – and that’s the sneaky part.

Dr Ritu explained that “there can be subclinical damage to skin cells, which means it’s happening on a microscopic level and you can’t see it with the naked eye.”

Even if your skin looks fine after a day in the sun, UV rays might still be quietly causing DNA damage. Protecting your skin daily keeps it strong and healthy, even when it feels like nothing’s happening.

Q: Freckles – what do they actually mean? Are freckles harmful? And are they avoidable?

A: First of all, fantastic question – or as we like to say in the TDA office: solid questch.

Freckles are small brown spots on your skin caused by increased melanin production (your skin’s natural pigment) in response to sun exposure. In terms of what they mean, you can think of them as your skin’s way of saying, “Hey, I’ve seen some UV.”

The medical term for freckles is ephelides, and another type called solar lentigines also appears after sun exposure. “Solar lentigines are a sign of sun damage from excessive sun exposure,” Dr Ritu explained, “and although they themselves aren’t cancerous, they tell a story about a person’s UV exposure.”

Ephelides usually show up in people who are genetically pre-disposed to freckling, especially those with very fair skin, who tend to burn easily and rarely suntan. “These skin types are at the greatest risk of melanomas and non-melanoma skin cancers,” Dr Ritu noted. Both freckles and solar lentigines also contribute significantly to premature skin aging, so they’re more than just cute sun spots – they’re your skin giving you a gentle nudge to protect it.

Q: How much time in the sun (without sunscreen) is healthy? How do you balance between protecting skin but needing some vitamin D?

A: It’s a fine line between “getting your vitamin D” and “racking up sun damage.” Most light-skinned Aussies only need about 15 minutes of sun on their forearms to get enough vitamin D – ideally outside the peak UV hours of 1–3pm in summer.

The key? Keep it short, get your vitamin D, then seek shade. A quick stroll before the sun’s strongest, or later in the day, is enough. That way, you get your vitamin D without tipping your skin into damage territory. Your skin – and your future self – will thank you.

Q: Are all amounts of suntan bad or is there a healthy limit?

A: A lot of beach bums might not want to hear this, but there’s no such thing as a healthy suntan (yes, the ad with this slogan remains deeply ingrained in me). Every time your skin darkens, it’s basically waving a little flag saying, “Help! I’m under UV attack!”

As Dr Ritu put it: “There are no healthy limits. Every sunburn causes DNA damage.” That means even a small suntan is already a sign your skin has been stressed by UV.

The takeaway? Take care to protect yourself and embrace your natural skin – a suntan is never worth the risk.

Q: How effective is sunscreen actually in preventing skin damage and cancer?

A: Sunscreen is effective in preventing skin cancer – but what’s most important is that you use it properly. Dr Ritu said it’s very effective if you apply the right amount and reapply at least twice a day, ideally every two hours.

To put it in numbers: SPF 50 blocks 98% of UV rays, and SPF 30 blocks 96.7%. So, yes, that lotion in your bag isn’t just a “nice-to-have” – it's an essential way to protect your skin against damage and cancer. But it’s also only one of the five key ways! (Yes, we’re talking about slip, slop, slap, seek, slide!)

Q: How does it cause wrinkles? What’s the best way to prevent or reduce its ageing effects on our skin?

A: Sun isn’t just brightening your day – it’s also the main culprit behind wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Dr Ritu explained that too much sun causes “photoaging,” which thins collagen, breaks down elastic tissue, and leads to crepey skin, wrinkles, brown spots, and even broken capillaries.

The good news? Sun protection is your ultimate anti-ageing hack.

Q: If I’m wearing and reapplying sunscreen but still get a suntan, is this a bad thing?

A: Even if you’re wearing sunscreen, getting a suntan usually means it’s not enough or hasn’t been reapplied properly. Dr Ritu stressed that sunscreen alone isn’t the full story – you also need to slip on a shirt, slop on more sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and slide on your sunnies.

All of these steps together help prevent DNA damage, lower your risk of skin cancer, and slow down skin ageing. Basically, the “Slip. Slop. Slap. Seek. Slide.” advice works – and it’s worth sticking to.

So, about suntanning... hear us out.

We know it feels like everyone's after that bronzed look, but here's what's actually happening: a suntan is your skin's damage response. And the stats are pretty wild – 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in our lifetime. Plus, UV exposure causes 80% of visible premature ageing (yes, really).

The good news? It's never too late to change your habits, and it's almost entirely preventable.

When the UV hits 3 or above, Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide – and remind your mates to do the same.

Ready to break up with suntanning? Skin cancer: Let's End The Trend.