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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| What is the UV index: Levels and tanning risks explained | |
| (5 months later) | |
| Ultraviolet (UV) levels in the UK are expected to be high in Friday's sunshine. | |
| UV radiation is emitted by the Sun and penetrates the Earth's atmosphere. | 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. | 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. | But balance is key as UV exposure can also cause dangerous skin damage. |
| Is UV dangerous? | Is UV dangerous? |
| We need to control our exposure, says Prof Dorothy Bennett, from St George's, University of London. | We need to control our exposure, says Prof Dorothy Bennett, from St George's, University of London. |
| UV is beneficial because it enables our skin to produce essential vitamin D. | UV is beneficial because it enables our skin to produce essential vitamin D. |
| This is important for the function of bones, blood cells and our immune system. | This is important for the function of bones, blood cells and our immune system. |
| "But UV is also dangerous because every exposure to UV, especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer," she said. | "But UV is also dangerous because every exposure to UV, especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer," she said. |
| "Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is now the fifth commonest cancer in the UK, the ongoing rise being attributed to sunbathing." | "Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is now the fifth commonest cancer in the UK, the ongoing rise being attributed to sunbathing." |
| UV radiation promotes skin cancer by damaging DNA in skin cells. | UV radiation promotes skin cancer by damaging DNA in skin cells. |
| It has also been linked to eye problems, including cataracts. | |
| And there is growing evidence that UV light may reduce the body's ability to defend itself against certain diseases. | |
| What is the UV index? | What is the UV index? |
| Levels of UV radiation vary throughout the day. | Levels of UV radiation vary throughout the day. |
| The highest readings occur in the four-hour period around "solar noon", which is when the sun is at its highest spot in the sky - usually from late morning to early afternoon. | The highest readings occur in the four-hour period around "solar noon", which is when the sun is at its highest spot in the sky - usually from late morning to early afternoon. |
| The UV Index (or UVI) is a standard, international measure of ultraviolet radiation. | The UV Index (or UVI) is a standard, international measure of ultraviolet radiation. |
| Values start at zero and can rise above 10. | Values start at zero and can rise above 10. |
| The higher the number, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes - and the less time it takes for harm to occur. | The higher the number, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes - and the less time it takes for harm to occur. |
| What are the different UV levels? | 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. | 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). | 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. | 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). | 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). |
| When do you need extra protection? | When do you need extra protection? |
| According to the WHO, extra sun protection is required when UV levels are: | According to the WHO, extra sun protection is required when UV levels are: |
| 11+ (extremely high) | 11+ (extremely high) |
| 8-10 (very high) | 8-10 (very high) |
| Protection is required when levels are: | Protection is required when levels are: |
| 6-7 (high) | 6-7 (high) |
| 3-5 (medium) | 3-5 (medium) |
| No protection is required when levels are: | No protection is required when levels are: |
| 1-2 (low) | 1-2 (low) |
| Can you tan safely? | Can you tan safely? |
| There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan, according to the NHS. | |
| If you want one, Dr Bav Shergill, of the British Association of Dermatologists, says the safest way to tan is "out of a bottle" - using self-tan. | If you want one, Dr Bav Shergill, of the British Association of Dermatologists, says the safest way to tan is "out of a bottle" - using self-tan. |
| "When you tan, ultraviolet light stimulates your skin cells to produce pigment to try and protect the DNA of skin cells - but that protection is minimal - the equivalent of SP4. | "When you tan, ultraviolet light stimulates your skin cells to produce pigment to try and protect the DNA of skin cells - but that protection is minimal - the equivalent of SP4. |
| "That is not much protection at all - so you can still burn very early," he warns. | "That is not much protection at all - so you can still burn very early," he warns. |
| Can you tan even when it is cloudy and windy? | Can you tan even when it is cloudy and windy? |
| BBC Weather's Helen Willetts says: "Your skin can burn just as quickly whether it's 30C or 20C. | BBC Weather's Helen Willetts says: "Your skin can burn just as quickly whether it's 30C or 20C. |
| "Don't be caught out on cloudy days. UV will still penetrate thin clouds - so even if you don't think it's that sunny, you can still burn." | "Don't be caught out on cloudy days. UV will still penetrate thin clouds - so even if you don't think it's that sunny, you can still burn." |
| The amount of UV reaching your skin is not driven by the daily temperature, Dr Michaela Hegglin, from the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology, says. | The amount of UV reaching your skin is not driven by the daily temperature, Dr Michaela Hegglin, from the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology, says. |
| "UV levels on a bright and breezy late April day in the UK will be about the same as a warm sunny day in August." | "UV levels on a bright and breezy late April day in the UK will be about the same as a warm sunny day in August." |
| What about skin ageing? | What about skin ageing? |
| Unprotected exposure to UV rays plays a substantial role in skin ageing - breaking down collagen and elastin fibres in healthy skin. | Unprotected exposure to UV rays plays a substantial role in skin ageing - breaking down collagen and elastin fibres in healthy skin. |
| This contributes to wrinkles and loosened folds. | This contributes to wrinkles and loosened folds. |
| The sun's rays also dry out skin, making it coarse and leathery. | The sun's rays also dry out skin, making it coarse and leathery. |
| How can you avoid UV damage? | How can you avoid UV damage? |
| Tips from the NHS, include: | Tips from the NHS, include: |
| Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest (in the UK that is between 11:00 and 15:00 from March to October) | Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest (in the UK that is between 11:00 and 15:00 from March to October) |
| never burn | never burn |
| cover up with suitable clothing and do not forget sunglasses | cover up with suitable clothing and do not forget sunglasses |
| use at least factor 30 sunscreen | use at least factor 30 sunscreen |
| reapply sun screen every two hours | reapply sun screen every two hours |
| take extra care with children | take extra care with children |
| Global research shows people often miss parts of their bodies when putting on sunscreen, Dr Shergill warns. | Global research shows people often miss parts of their bodies when putting on sunscreen, Dr Shergill warns. |
| "People often forget include side of nose by eye - where I have seen a lot of skin cancer," he says. | "People often forget include side of nose by eye - where I have seen a lot of skin cancer," he says. |
| Other areas include the groove by the side of the nose and into the cheek, the temples and the upper chest. | Other areas include the groove by the side of the nose and into the cheek, the temples and the upper chest. |
| As a guide, adults should aim to apply about six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if covering the entire body. | As a guide, adults should aim to apply about six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if covering the entire body. |
| I have brown skin. Do I need to worry? | I have brown skin. Do I need to worry? |
| Yes. | Yes. |
| "I have, for example, seen South Asian people with skin cancer and I have seen people with dual-heritage get skin cancer. | "I have, for example, seen South Asian people with skin cancer and I have seen people with dual-heritage get skin cancer. |
| "The skin may look darker, but it doesn’t always behave that way from a protection point of view – because there are more genes at play than we think about, " Dr Shergill says. | "The skin may look darker, but it doesn’t always behave that way from a protection point of view – because there are more genes at play than we think about, " Dr Shergill says. |
| Regardless of skin colour - the risk of eye damage and of potential harmful effects on the immune system remains. | Regardless of skin colour - the risk of eye damage and of potential harmful effects on the immune system remains. |