One way to beat the heat of summer is to head to the pool or beach to splash around. But the sun’s harmful rays can affect you whenever you’re outside. Temperature isn’t always an accurate gauge of sun risk, but the UV index is. What is the UV index, and how is it related to the risk of skin cancer?
What is UV radiation?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of energy that commonly comes from the sun. Some light bulbs, like those in tanning beds, also give off UV rays. Unlike other types of radiation energy, UV rays can’t penetrate deep into the skin. However, they can still affect it.
The two main types of UV radiation are UVA and UVB. UVA rays have the least amount of energy, so they don’t go as deeply into the skin. Instead, they can lead to wrinkles and skin aging. UVB rays have more energy and can damage the DNA in your cells. Both can lead to skin cancer, but UVB rays contribute to sunburn and play a bigger role.
What is the UV index?
The UV index is a simple scale designed to help you protect yourself against the sun and empower you to reduce your risk of skin cancer. It is a forecast of UV radiation that the National Weather Service puts out. The scale is from 1 to 11+, with UV levels of 1 being the lowest.
If the UV index is low, you don’t have to worry as much about your sun exposure or getting sunburned. If the UV index is high, you need to have appropriate coverage.
This is what the index numbers mean:
- Less than 2: Low risk. Cover up and use sunscreen if you burn easily.
- 3 to 5: Moderate risk. Wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing outdoors. Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen.
- 6 to 7: High risk. Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing outdoors. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every two hours.
- 8 to 10: Very high risk. Avoid spending time outdoors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing outdoors. Apply at least SPF 30 sunscreen every two hours.
- Greater than 11: Extremely high risk. Avoid the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Seek shade outdoors at all other times. Apply sunscreen every two hours. Wear protective clothing to reduce sun exposure.
How are sunburns and skin cancer linked?
You can use the UV index to predict how strong the sunlight will be and avoid getting sunburned. Even a single sunburn puts you at increased risk of getting skin cancer. That’s because the UV rays damage your skin cells. While sunburns at any age put you at risk, studies show that sunburns at early ages put you at higher risk.
Protect your skin
Decrease your chances of getting skin cancer by protecting your skin. Unprotected sun exposure allows UV rays to penetrate your skin at full strength, leading to greater damage of your skin cells.
Before heading out for the day, check the UV index. Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, hats, sunglasses and pants as well as a broad-spectrum sunscreen to block UV rays from hurting your skin.
Sweating and swimming wash sunscreen off your skin, so it’s important to reapply it often. Be aware that sand, snow and water nearly double UV strength. If the overall UV index is low, the reflection from these surfaces can increase it quite a bit.
How we can help
Everyone experiences UV exposure throughout their lifetime. Seeing a dermatologist and getting regular skin checks can help you stay on top of your skin’s health and alert you as early as possible to any issues that can be treated.
And while sunburns are often treated at home, some are serious enough to require medical attention. If you do get a sunburn that needs to be checked out, you can visit an urgent care center or make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Learn about the dermatology and skin cancer services we offer at Mercy Health.
