Like many Australians, Deborah Knight was the quintessential Aussie beach kid—blonde hair, sun-drenched days, and more than a few sunburns that, back then, felt like a rite of passage.
But years later, after watching her grandfather battle melanoma and undergoing surgery herself for a basal cell carcinoma, the carefree days in the sun came with a new weight: sun anxiety. The worry of skin cancer loomed over every outdoor adventure, making her question how she could still enjoy the sunshine without the fear.
“I always took it for granted that I’d get sunburned,” she recalls. “It wasn’t seen as a negative back then. But when my grandfather passed away, I realised just how serious it was.”
Now, she’s found a solution—one that lets her live her best outdoor life without compromising on safety or style.
The Rising Tide of Sun Anxiety
For Deborah, sunburn used to be nothing more than an annoying summer souvenir. These days, it’s a different story. The carefree days of slapping on sunscreen as an afterthought are long gone—now, every burn comes with a sting of guilt.
“If my kids or I get burnt, I feel like I’ve failed. I think about what that could mean down the track, and it really stresses me out,” she admits.
This feeling isn’t unique to her. Sun anxiety is on the rise, particularly among Australians who’ve seen the harsh realities of skin cancer firsthand.
Recent research comissioned by Solbari, an Australian brand specialising in UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing, found 64% of Australians actively avoid the sun during peak UV hours. About 62% of skin cancer survivors feel anxious about time spent outdoors and 46% feel uneasy about extended sun exposure.
While the statistics highlight a valid concern, staying indoors isn’t the answer—especially in a country where outdoor living is a way of life.
Rethinking Sun Protection
For years, Deborah thought throwing on a cotton shirt was enough to keep the sun at bay. But what she didn’t realise was that most everyday fabrics offer little to no UV protection—some as low as UPF 5, the equivalent of wearing SPF 5 sunscreen.
That wake-up call led her to UPF-rated clothing like Solbari, designed to block at least 98% of harmful UV rays.
“Their clothing has long sleeves, is lightweight and breathable and actually looks good,” she says. “It’s made a huge difference because I don’t have to stress about reapplying sunscreen constantly.”
During a recent family trip to Fiji, she put sun-protective clothing to the test. She wore a rash vest while paddleboarding and opted for wide-brimmed UPF 50+ hats instead of caps, which left the sides of her face exposed.
“It was a relief knowing I was fully covered, especially for areas like the tops of my hands, where I’ve had sun damage before.”
For her, sun safety no longer means compromise—it means confidence.
Shifting to a Sun Safety Mindset
Australia has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, yet sun safety messaging still isn’t hitting home—especially with younger generations. Despite years of awareness campaigns, Deborah sees a troubling disconnect.
She’s particularly frustrated by social media influencers who glorify tan lines while pushing expensive anti-ageing skincare.
“It’s the ultimate irony. The biggest cause of ageing is sun damage and yet they encourage people to get burnt while selling anti-ageing creams. It’s beyond frustrating.”
For her, the goal is simple: balance.
“We shouldn’t have to choose between protecting our skin and enjoying the outdoors. With the right precautions—shade, sunscreen and UPF-rated clothing—it’s possible to do both.”
As she prepares for her annual skin check, Deborah remains vigilant but optimistic. The scar on her nose from basal cell carcinoma surgery is a permanent reminder of why early detection matters.
“Every time I go in, I expect to come out with blisters from dry ice treatments, but I’d rather deal with that than risk something worse.”
Her message to fellow Aussies? Enjoy the sun—but do it smart.
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