The UK is expected to experience high ultraviolet (UV) levels in the coming days due to the sun’s intensity. Although the sun provides warmth and light, it can also cause severe skin damage due to exposure to UV radiation. Some exposure to UV is necessary because it stimulates the skin to produce vitamin D, which boosts bone, blood cell and immune system functions. However, every instance of sunburn increases the chances of developing dangerous skin cancer, warns Prof. Dorothy Bennett from St. George’s University of London. Melanoma is the fifth most common form of cancer in the UK, and the number of people diagnosed with it continues to rise because of exposure to UV.
UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, which makes skin more prone to cancer. It has also been associated with eye damage, including cataracts. Moreover, evidence is growing that UV light reduces the body’s ability to defend itself against certain ailments. In the UK, readings of UV radiation vary throughout the day. The highest levels can usually be measured around noon, when the sun is at its highest. The UV Index is a standardised measure of UV radiation ranging from 0 to 10 or more. The higher the number, the greater the chance of damage to the skin and eyes, and the more rapidly it occurs.
Countries situated near the equator experience high levels of UV radiation throughout the year. Nairobi in Kenya can experience UV readings greater than 10 all year, while Majorca in Spain typically scores 9 in June and July. In contrast, the Falkland Islands in the Southern Atlantic have never recorded readings above 5 in December and January, which is summer in the Southern hemisphere.
UV rays play a significant role in skin ageing by breaking down collagen and elastin fibres. This results in wrinkles and sagging folds. Additionally, exposure to the sun dries out skin and makes it rough and leathery. Consequently, people should take steps to prevent UV exposure, such as spending time in the shade when the sun is most intense, covering up with appropriate clothing and sunglasses, and using sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Adults should use about six to eight teaspoons of suncream to cover the entire body. It is essential to reapply sunscreen every two hours and to pay special attention to vulnerable body parts, such as the eyes and nose. People with brown skin should also be cautious of UV exposure because irrespective of skin colour, everyone is at risk of eye damage and skin cancer from the sun’s rays
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