Category - Skin Cancer

UV-detecting stickers warn young footballers to apply sunscreen

Public Health Skin Cancer Sun Protection
  • 14-18-year-old rugby league players participated in sunscreen use study
  • Young adult competitive sport players have report high rates of sunburn
  • UV-detection sticker on exposed skin turns purple to indicate sunscreen should be applied
  • Young players responded to wearing a sticker with an increase in sunscreen use

QUT public health researcher Dr Elke Hacker, from the Faculty of Health’s School of Public Health and Social Work studied the response of 550 young rugby league players  at the Adrian Vowles Cup, a two-day carnival in Charleville, to wearing a sticker that changes colour when more sunscreen should be applied to keep skin safe from sun exposure.

The UV-detection stickers use UV sensitive dyes and a patented technology called dermatrue™ that absorbs sunscreen, just like skin does. Wearers put them on skin exposed to the sun and apply sunscreen over the sticker along with the rest of the body part being protected. Read more >

Is there enough sunscreen in your cosmetic products?

Skin Cancer Sun Protection

Dr Elke Hacker from the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) partnered with the Wellness Matters program, Department of Health Safety and Environment at QUT, to undertake a research study assessing the coverage of cosmetics with SPF by using UV cameras.

A UV camera is designed to image ultraviolet light, the same UV light that sunscreen or cosmetic products containing SPF absorbs. In the UV image, skin with sunscreen or SPF on it will appear darker onscreen than skin that’s been missed, or that requires a reapplication. The more sunscreen that is present, the darker the skin will look. Read more >

Could a UV wristband help prevent sunburn?

Skin Cancer Sun Protection

As 18,000 school leavers hit the Gold Coast to celebrate the end of school and exams we have come up with a clever way to reach these school leavers – a silicon UV-reactive slider that is included on the official Safer Schoolies wristband that indicates when their skin has had enough sun.

Just a couple of sunburns can leave the skin vulnerable to skin cancer, and its most deadly form, melanoma. Read more >

Seeking research participants: UV cameras and sunscreen use

Skin Cancer Sun Protection

Dr Elke Hacker from the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) is seeking participants for a research study using UV cameras. You may be eligible to participate if you are 18 years of age or older. Individuals will not be able to participate if they have an allergy to sunscreen.

Participants will be asked to visit IHBI to complete a brief demographics survey and apply two moisturiser products with an SPF content supplied by the research team to the left and right side of their face. Photos will be taken of the participants face with a UV camera before, immediately and 20 minutes after application of the moisturiser with SPF. You will be asked to participate in a 5-10 minute audio-recorded interview and asked to comment about your thoughts on the products applied. Read more >

Seeking volunteers: Do foundations and moisturisers with SPF provide coverage from the sun?

Skin Cancer Sun Protection

Exciting new research is aiming to assess the coverage of commercially available cosmetics (such as foundations or skin care creams) that include SPF for intermittent sun exposure in indoor workers.

Dr Hacker is seeking staff, 18 years of age or older, who regularly use cosmetic products with SPF 5 or higher on their face such as foundations, moisturisers, or other makeup and face creams. Read more >

Could smart wearables prevent dangerous sunburn?

Skin Cancer Sun Protection

Getting sunburnt could be another rebellious rite of passage for young people, says QUT public health researcher Dr Elke Hacker who is testing new UV detection wearables to try to make sun safety part of daily routine.

“Throwing off the ‘rashie’ Mum’s made you wear or not putting on a hat after years of ‘no hat, no play,’ are like other risky behaviours such as drinking alcohol or speeding that young people seem to indulge in,” said Dr Hacker from QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation. Read more >