This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckmg1572e8ko
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| What is the UV index: Levels and tanning risks explained | What is the UV index: Levels and tanning risks explained |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| Warm weather can often bring high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. | |
| 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 exposure is essential for our wellbeing, but too much can cause skin damage. | Some exposure is essential for our wellbeing, but too much can cause skin damage. |
| Is UV dangerous? | Is UV dangerous? |
| 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 we need to be careful about how much time we spend in the sunshine, warns Prof Dorothy Bennett, from St George's, University of London. | But we need to be careful about how much time we spend in the sunshine, warns Prof Dorothy Bennett, from St George's, University of London. |
| "Every exposure to UV, especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer. | "Every exposure to UV, especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer. |
| "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 also plays a substantial role in skin ageing, contributing to wrinkles and loosened folds. | It also plays a substantial role in skin ageing, contributing to wrinkles and loosened folds. |
| UV exposure has also been linked to eye problems, including cataracts. | UV exposure has also been linked to eye problems, including cataracts. |
| 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", when the sun is at its highest - usually from late morning to early afternoon. | The highest readings occur in the four-hour period around "solar noon", when the sun is at its highest - 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 normally hits nine in June and July. | Majorca in Spain normally hits nine in June and July. |
| But the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic never usually get above five, even in summer. | But the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic never usually get above five, even in summer. |
| What do the different UV levels mean for people? | What do the different UV levels mean for people? |
| According to the WHO, no sun protection is required when levels are: | According to the WHO, no sun protection is required when levels are: |
| 1-2 (low) | 1-2 (low) |
| Some sun protection is required when levels are: | Some sun protection is required when levels are: |
| 6-7 (high) | 6-7 (high) |
| 3-5 (medium) | 3-5 (medium) |
| Extra sun protection is required when UV levels are: | Extra sun protection is required when UV levels are: |
| 11+ (extremely high) | 11+ (extremely high) |
| 8-10 (very high) | 8-10 (very high) |
| Children are more sensitive to UV radiation than adults, and therefore require additional protection at lower levels. | Children are more sensitive to UV radiation than adults, and therefore require additional protection at lower levels. |
| WHO: Protecting against skin cancer | WHO: Protecting against skin cancer |
| How can you avoid UV damage? | How can you avoid UV damage? |
| The NHS advises: | The NHS advises: |
| spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest - between 11:00 and 15:00 from March to October in the UK | spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest - between 11:00 and 15:00 from March to October in the UK |
| covering up with suitable clothing and wearing sunglasses | covering up with suitable clothing and wearing sunglasses |
| using sunscreen which is factor 30 or above and offers at least 4-star UVA protection on your face, neck and other areas of exposed skin | using sunscreen which is factor 30 or above and offers at least 4-star UVA protection on your face, neck and other areas of exposed skin |
| reapplying sunscreen regularly - check the instructions on the bottle | reapplying sunscreen regularly - check the instructions on the bottle |
| making sure babies and children are protected | making sure babies and children are protected |
| Global research shows people often miss parts of their bodies when putting on sunscreen, according to Dr Bav Shergill from the British Association of Dermatologists. | Global research shows people often miss parts of their bodies when putting on sunscreen, according to Dr Bav Shergill from the British Association of Dermatologists. |
| "People often forget the side of their nose - where I have seen a lot of skin cancer," he says. | "People often forget the side of their nose - where I have seen a lot of skin cancer," he says. |
| Other areas which need to be covered include the temples and the upper chest. | Other areas which need to be covered include 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. |
| Can you tan safely? | Can you tan safely? |
| There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan, according to the NHS. | There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan, according to the NHS. |
| Dr Shergill recommends using self-tan products instead. | Dr Shergill recommends using self-tan products instead. |
| "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 burn even when it is cloudy and windy? | Can you burn even when it is cloudy and windy? |
| The amount of UV reaching your skin is not driven by the daily temperature, says Dr Michaela Hegglin, from the University of Reading. | The amount of UV reaching your skin is not driven by the daily temperature, says Dr Michaela Hegglin, from the University of Reading. |
| "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." |
| "Your skin can burn just as quickly whether it's 30C or 20C," warns BBC Weather's BBC Weather's Helen Willetts. | "Your skin can burn just as quickly whether it's 30C or 20C," warns BBC Weather's BBC Weather's Helen Willetts. |
| "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." |
| I have brown skin. Do I need to worry? | I have brown skin. Do I need to worry? |
| Yes, according to Dr Shergill. | Yes, according to Dr Shergill. |
| "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," he 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," he says. |
| "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 broader risks of eye damage and harmful effects on the immune system from too much UV radiation affect people of all skin colour. | The broader risks of eye damage and harmful effects on the immune system from too much UV radiation affect people of all skin colour. |