Even with summer winding down, it’s important to keep up your sun safety routine. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be harmful year-round.

You may have heard of the UV Index. Calculated by the National Weather Service and published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the UV Index measures the intensity of UV radiation throughout the day. You can find the UV Index level for your location in detailed daily weather forecasts on every day of the year.

The UV Index provides a useful guide to the level of danger from the sun. But keep in mind, even the smallest level of UV radiation can damage your skin. UV radiation is linked to skin cancer, cataracts and other eye problems and premature aging of the skin.

Here’s what each level of the UV Index means:

• Level 0 – 2 (green): Low danger from unprotected sun exposure for the average person. But if you burn easily, cover up and use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Wear sunglasses with UV protection on bright days.

• Level 3 – 5 (yellow): A moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a hat when outdoors. Stay in the shade around midday. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days. Wear sunglasses with UV protection.

• Level 6 – 7 (orange): A high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a hat when outdoors. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days. Reduce your time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear sunglasses with UV protection.

• Level 8 -10 (red): A very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a hat when outdoors. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days. Seek shade outdoors. Try to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear sunglasses with UV protection.

• Level 11 (purple): An extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every two hours, even on cloudy days. Seek shade outdoors. Try to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

No matter the UV Index level, always take steps to protect your skin and eyes from the sun. You’ll reduce your risk for skin cancer and other harmful effects of UV exposure.

Sources:
The Skin Cancer Foundation
The StayWell Company, LLC