Skin & Sun Safety

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. With our beautiful alpine sun and outdoor lifestyle here in Queenstown, it’s more important than ever to protect your skin—every day, all year round.

Here’s what you need to know to stay sun smart and skin aware ⤵️

🧴 Why Sun Safety Matters in Aotearoa

• UV levels in NZ are stronger than in many other countries—even on cloudy days.

• Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand, but it’s also one of the most preventable.

• Early detection saves lives—the sooner a skin change is checked, the better the outcome.

🌤 Everyday Sun Safety Tips

Whether you're heading up the gondola or walking the lakefront, these simple habits can make a big difference:

• Slip on a shirt and slap on a hat—wide-brimmed is best.

• Slop on broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen—and reapply every 2 hours.

• Put on sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV damage.

• Seek shade between 10am and 4pm, when UV levels are highest.

• Check the UV index daily—apps like UVNZ can help you plan ahead.

🔍 Know Your Skin: What to Look For

Keep an eye out for:

• New spots or moles that appear suddenly

• Changes in size, shape, or colour of existing moles

• Sores that don’t heal or bleed easily

• Itchy, scaly, or crusty patches

If something doesn’t look or feel right—get it checked.

🏥 How QMC Can Help

Your skin health is part of your whole health. At QMC, we offer:

• Full body skin checks: Book in with our accredited skin cancer doctor Milne Simpson, or our doctors with special interest in skin, Doctors Anne Hutchison and Niall Curran.

• Lesion removal: Lesions can be removed onsite as part of a minor surgical procedure. Funding may apply for some lesions. Please check with your doctor.

📞 Need a skin check or have a question?
Book an appointment today give us a call on 03 441 0500.

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