What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
As a period of extreme heat is forecast across the UK this week, UV levels are expected to be high in many areas.
Some exposure to UV is essential for our wellbeing, but too much is damaging and can cause skin cancer.
UV radiation is emitted by the Sun and penetrates the Earth's atmosphere.
It enables our skin to produce essential vitamin D, which is important for the function of bones, blood cells and our immune system.
But too much UV can be harmful.
It can lead to skin cancer by damaging DNA in skin cells. UV also plays a substantial role in skin ageing, contributing to wrinkles and loosened folds.
It has also been linked to eye problems, external, including cataracts.
"Every exposure to UV, especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer," says Prof Dorothy Bennett, from St George's, University of London.
"Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is now the fifth commonest cancer in the UK."
Levels of UV radiation vary throughout the day.
The highest readings are 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 measure of ultraviolet radiation used around the world.
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.
In the UK, the UV index would typically be around 5-6 during the summer, with a maximum of 8 only in exceptional circumstances.
Countries close to the equator can experience very high UV levels in the middle of the day, throughout the year.
Nairobi in Kenya, for example, 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.
Appropriate sunscreen is essential.
Some sun protection is required when UK levels are medium (3-5) or high (6-7), the WHO says.
Extra sun protection is required when UV levels are very high (8-10) or extremely high (11+).
Children are more sensitive to UV radiation than adults, and therefore require additional protection at lower levels than adults.
The NHS advises, external using sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30 or above and which offers at least 4-star UVA protection.
It should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears - and head if you have thinning or no hair - ideally 30 minutes before you go out into the sun.
As a guide, adults should aim to apply about six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if covering the entire body.
It should be reapplied every two hours, or sooner if you sweat a lot, have been in water, or after drying yourself with a towel.
In addition, the NHS recommends:
covering up with suitable clothing and wearing sunglasses
spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest - between 11:00 and 15:00 from March to October in the UK
There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan, according to the NHS., external
Dr Bav Shergill from the British Association of Dermatologists 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.
"That is not much protection at all - so you can still burn very early," he warns.
The amount of UV reaching your skin is not driven by the daily temperature.
"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."
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.
"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.
Heatwaves: The New Normal?
How hot is too hot? From heat labs to firefighting helicopter pilots and wineries, we look at how extreme heat impacts people and environments in the UK.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun serves essential functions—it enables vitamin D production, critical for bone health and immune function. However, excessive exposure causes measurable harm. UV radiation damages the DNA of skin cells, increasing skin cancer risk; melanoma incidence in the UK has risen to become the fifth most common cancer. The intensity of UV radiation varies by location and time of day, measured on the UV Index scale. In the UK, summer levels typically range from 5-6, occasionally reaching 8. Near the equator, levels regularly exceed 10 year-round. Peak UV hours occur between late morning and early afternoon. Protection becomes necessary at medium UV levels (3-5) and essential at high levels (6-7 and above). The NHS recommends sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher offering 4-star UVA protection, applied to all exposed skin 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours. Additional measures include protective clothing, sunglasses, and seeking shade during peak hours. UV damage occurs independent of temperature and penetrates cloud cover. All skin tones face UV-related risks including skin cancer and eye damage, though protection needs may vary.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
As a period of extreme heat is forecast across the UK this week, UV levels are expected to be high in many areas.
Some exposure to UV is essential for our wellbeing, but too much is damaging and can cause skin cancer.
UV radiation is emitted by the Sun and penetrates the Earth's atmosphere.
It enables our skin to produce essential vitamin D, which is important for the function of bones, blood cells and our immune system.
But too much UV can be harmful.
It can lead to skin cancer by damaging DNA in skin cells. UV also plays a substantial role in skin ageing, contributing to wrinkles and loosened folds.
It has also been linked to eye problems, external, including cataracts.
"Every exposure to UV, especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer," says Prof Dorothy Bennett, from St George's, University of London.
"Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is now the fifth commonest cancer in the UK."
Levels of UV radiation vary throughout the day.
The highest readings are 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 measure of ultraviolet radiation used around the world.
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.
In the UK, the UV index would typically be around 5-6 during the summer, with a maximum of 8 only in exceptional circumstances.
Countries close to the equator can experience very high UV levels in the middle of the day, throughout the year.
Nairobi in Kenya, for example, 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.
Appropriate sunscreen is essential.
Some sun protection is required when UK levels are medium (3-5) or high (6-7), the WHO says.
Extra sun protection is required when UV levels are very high (8-10) or extremely high (11+).
Children are more sensitive to UV radiation than adults, and therefore require additional protection at lower levels than adults.
The NHS advises, external using sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30 or above and which offers at least 4-star UVA protection.
It should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears - and head if you have thinning or no hair - ideally 30 minutes before you go out into the sun.
As a guide, adults should aim to apply about six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if covering the entire body.
It should be reapplied every two hours, or sooner if you sweat a lot, have been in water, or after drying yourself with a towel.
In addition, the NHS recommends:
covering up with suitable clothing and wearing sunglasses
spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest - between 11:00 and 15:00 from March to October in the UK
There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan, according to the NHS., external
Dr Bav Shergill from the British Association of Dermatologists 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.
"That is not much protection at all - so you can still burn very early," he warns.
The amount of UV reaching your skin is not driven by the daily temperature.
"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."
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.
"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.
Heatwaves: The New Normal?
How hot is too hot? From heat labs to firefighting helicopter pilots and wineries, we look at how extreme heat impacts people and environments in the UK.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
UV radiation is emitted by the sun and penetrates Earth's atmosphere Some UV exposure is essential for vitamin D production, which supports bone function, blood cell production, and immune health Excessive UV exposure damages DNA in skin cells and can cause skin cancer Melanoma is now the fifth commonest cancer in the UK UV radiation contributes to skin ageing including wrinkles and skin laxity UV exposure is linked to eye problems including cataracts The highest UV readings occur in the four-hour period around solar noon, typically late morning to early afternoon The UV Index measures radiation intensity on a scale starting at zero and rising above 10 In the UK, summer UV levels typically range from 5-6, with 8 as an exceptional maximum Equatorial regions experience UV levels above 10 year-round The NHS recommends sunscreen with SPF 30 or above and 4-star UVA protection Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours Adults should apply 6-8 teaspoons of sunscreen to cover the entire body Peak sun hours in the UK are 11:00-15:00 from March to October UV damage occurs regardless of ambient temperature UV penetrates thin cloud cover All skin tones are vulnerable to UV-related damage including skin cancer and immune system effects There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan Natural skin tanning provides minimal UV protection, equivalent to SPF 4
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- UV radiation from the sun damages skin DNA and can cause skin cancer; melanoma is now the fifth commonest cancer in the UK
- The UV Index measures radiation intensity from 0 upwards; UK summer levels typically reach 5-6, with 8 as an exceptional maximum
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ with 4-star UVA protection should be applied to all exposed skin 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours
- UV damage occurs regardless of temperature or cloud cover; peak UV hours in the UK are 11:00-15:00 from March to October
- All skin tones are vulnerable to UV damage, though darker skin requires different sun protection considerations