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Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is emitted by the sun and penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere. Some UV radiation is essential to our health, and the sun’s rays provide warmth and light. But balance is key—UV exposure can also cause dangerous skin damage. Is UV radiation dangerous?
Professor Dorothy Bennett, of St George’s, University of London, said we need to limit our exposure, the BBC reported.
UV rays are beneficial because they allow our skin to produce essential vitamin D. This is important for the function of our bones, blood cells and immune system.
“But UV rays are also dangerous because every UV exposure, and especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer. “Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is currently the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with its continued rise attributed to sunbathing,” she said. UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, which can promote skin cancer. It is also linked to eye problems, including cataracts. There is growing evidence that UV reduces the body’s ability to fight off some diseases. What is the UV index? UV radiation levels vary throughout the day. The highest readings occur in the four hours before and after “solar noon”, when the sun is highest in the sky, usually from late morning to early afternoon. The UV Index (or UVI) is an international measure of UV radiation. Values start at 0 and can rise above 10. The higher the number, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes, and the shorter the time it will take for damage to occur. What are the different UV levels? The different UV levels are shown in purple, red, orange and green blocks in the table, along with recommendations from the World Health Organization. Countries close to the equator can experience very high UV levels at noon all year round. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), UV levels in Nairobi, Kenya, exceed level 10 year-round. June and July on the Spanish island of Mallorca usually reach nine. But the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean can reach very high levels in December and January.Temperatures never rose above 5 degrees in February (summer in the southern hemisphere). According to the World Health Organisation, additional sun protection is needed when the level is: 11+ (extremely high) 8-10 (very high) No protection is needed when the level is: 6-7 (high) 3-5 (medium) Levels: 1-2 (low) Can you tan safely? The NHS says there is no safe or healthy way to tan. Dr Bav Shergill, of the British Association of Dermatologists, says if you want a tan, the safest way is to get one “from the bottle” – using a self-tanner. “When you tan, the UV rays stimulate your skin cells to produce pigment in an attempt to protect your skin cells’ DNA – but the protection is small – equivalent to SP4. “This is not much protection at all – so you could still burn out early,” he warns. Can you tan even on a cloudy and windy day? Helen Willetts at BBC Weather said: “Your skin will burn just as quickly whether it’s 30C or 20C. “Don’t be surprised if it’s cloudy. UV rays will still penetrate light cloud – so even if you think it’s not that sunny, you could still get burned.” Dr Michaela Hegglin, from the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, said the amount of UV rays reaching the skin does not depend on the daily temperature. “UV levels on a clear, windy day in late April in the UK will be about the same as on a warm, sunny day in August. What to do about ageing skin? Unprotected UV exposure plays a major role in skin ageing – damaging the collagen and elastin fibres in healthy skin. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and loose folds. The sun can also dry out the skin, leaving it rough and coarse. How can you avoid UV damage? NHS advice includes: – Stay in the shade when the sun is strongest – Don’t wait until you get sunburned – Wear suitable clothing and don’t forget to wear sunglasses – Use an SPF of at least 30 – Reapply sunscreen every two hours – and be extra careful with children Global research shows that people often overlook certain parts of the body when applying sunscreen, warns Dr Shergill. “People often forget to include the nose and the side of the eye – we see a lot of skin cancers there,” he says. Other areas include the side of the nose, cheeks, temples and the grooves of the upper chest. As a guide, adults should apply around six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if covering their whole body. I have brown skin. Should I be worried? Yes. “I’ve seen people from South Asia get skin cancer, for example, and I’ve also seen people of dual descent get skin cancer. “Skin may appear darker, but it’s not always protective — there are more genes at play than we thought,” Dr. Shergill said. Regardless of skin color, the risk of eye damage and potentially harmful effects on the immune system remains.
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