UV radiation is emitted by the Sun and penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere. Some UV radiation is essential for our wellbeing, and the sun’s rays provide warmth and light. But balance is key as UV exposure can also cause dangerous skin damage.
Is UV dangerous?
There is a bittersweet truth hidden in the sunlight we crave. While UV rays help our skin produce vital vitamin D – fuel for our strong bones, blood cells, and our immune system – they carry a silent threat!
With every tan and every sunburn , the danger build. Skin cells are scarred at a microscopic level, their DNA quietly damaged, paving the way for cancers like melanoma – the deadliest skin cancer and now the 5th most common cancer in the UK.
UV damage doesn’t stop at our skin; it reaches our eyes too, linked to ocular melanoma and cataracts.
It steals our sight and our health in the same golden rays we so often welcome. It’s a reminder that something so essential can also be so unforgiving.
What is the UV index?
The UV Index is a scale from 1 to 11+ that measures the strength of the sun’s UV radiation at a specific time and place. The higher the number, the greater the risk of skin and eye damage. A low index (0 to 2) indicates minimal risk, while a high to extreme index (8 to 11+) signals the need for maximum sun protection to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage.
What are the different UV levels? Countries close to the equator can experience very high UV levels in the middle of the day, throughout the year. Nairobi in Kenya can have UV levels above 10 all year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Majorca in Spain, will normally hit nine in June and July. But the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic never usually gets above five in December and January (when it is summer in the southern hemisphere). UV is always highest during the middle part of the day between 11am and 3pm . To ensure your skin is protected from UV, use all five forms of sun protection:-
- slip on a t-shirt.
- slop on sun cream with a protection factor of 30 or more.
- slap on a wide brimmed hat.
- slide on some quality sunglasses.
- shade from the sun wherever possible.
The Shadow Rule
Another handy tip to help you work out when the sun is strongest is the ‘Shadow Rule’. It’s simple and it works anywhere in the world. It’s also a fun way to talk to children about enjoying the sun safely.
Look at your shadow. If it is shorter than you, this means that the sun’s UV rays are at their strongest – in the UK, this is usually the middle of the day when the sun is at it’s zenith (between 11am and 3pm). This is when you’re most likely to burn and need to think about taking extra care to protect your skin, especially if you get sunburnt easily. You should take more care in the sun if you have one or more of the following:
- skin that burns easily
- a lighter skin tone
- light coloured hair or eyes
- lots of moles or freckles
- a history of sunburn
- a personal or family history of skin cancer
You’re the best person to know how your skin reacts to the sun. The more easily you get sunburnt, the more careful you need to be. Sunburn doesn’t have to be raw, peeling or blistering. For people with darker skin tones, your skin may feel irritated, tender or itchy. For people with lighter skin tones, it may also go pink or red in the sun.
When do you need extra protection?
According to the WHO, extra sun protection is required when UV levels are:
- 11+ (extremely high)
- 8-10 (very high)
Protection is required when levels are:
- 6-7 (high)
- 3-5 (medium)
No protection is required when levels are:
- 1-2 (low)
