Cancer Council’s Snapchat-inspired filter shows sun lovers what UV damage looks like

SUN lovers have been encouraged to take a selfie and see the damage being done to their skin, but the results won’t be pretty in the Cancer Council’s latest weapon against cancer.

The Cancer Council is using a new app to fight skin cancer. Picture: Supplied

SUN lovers can take a selfie to see the damage being done to their skin in the latest weapon against cancer.

In an effort to drive more Victorians to slip, slop, slap, the Cancer Council is launching an app to alert people to the invisible dangers of UV exposure, showing users the long-term impact UV exposure will have on their face through premature ageing, wrinkling and sunspots.

It comes as new Cancer Council Victoria data shows one in three Victorians puts themselves at risk of skin cancer because they incorrectly believe temperature, cloud cover, wind and humidity are the biggest risk factors for sunburn, rather than UV levels.

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Launching the seeUV app, SunSmart manager Heather Walker said it was important for people to think about UV and the impact it would have on them five, 10 or 20 years’ time so they could protect themselves today.

“UV radiation is the major cause of skin cancer, but the problem is none of our senses can actually detect it,” she said.

“As a result, we usually don’t realise how strong the rays are until the damage has already been done.

“By incorrectly using temperature as a gauge, you are unwittingly leaving yourself exposed to increased skin cancer risk.”

Created with Deakin University software and backed by the state government, the seeUV app allows users to see the hidden intensity of dangerous UV rays around them.

The seeUV is available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.