UV index – how to stay safe in the sun

When we’re planning our summer holidays, we usually choose somewhere with plenty of sun. But, we tend to forget that sunny weather usually means high UV levels – and this can be dangerous for our health.

To help you find the best destination for your next trip, we’ve looked into the average UV ratings in 30 top summer tourist spots from June to September.

Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed MBChB, a board-certified Dermatologist, has also given advice for travellers about the dangers of UV exposure and also to debunk five of the most common sun cream myths.

The UV index measures the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun which can affect our skin and eyes. The UV index gives us an idea of how much UV radiation is reaching the Earth's surface at a certain place and time.

The UV index scale ranges from zero to 11 or higher, with each number on the scale showing a different level of UV intensity. The higher the number, the stronger the UV radiation and the greater the risk of sunburn and skin damage.

Our research looks at the average UV rating from June to September in 30 popular summer holiday spots. We’ve also looked at the average number of sunshine hours each month during this period. This has helped us to find the places with safer UV exposure for your summer trip, and those where you should be more cautious.

UV index scale ranges from low risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure (UV index 3-5), to moderate risk (UV 6-7), to high risk (UV 8-10). A UV index of 11+ means a person is at very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure.

For comparison, we also looked at London and Newquay. All locations are ordered from the highest to lowest in the UV index.

Out of the 30 locations, Saint Helier and Paris showed the lowest average UV rating between June and September, with a UV index of five. Despite this being ‘low risk’ exposure, when the UV Index reaches three or higher, the sun's intensity becomes strong enough that it could harm certain skin types. That’s why it’s important to be extra cautious and protect your skin, especially if you are prone to sunburn.

On the other hand, Male and Marrakech recorded the highest UV exposure, with both locations having an average UV index of over 10. This shows a very high exposure level, making skin protection a must for all skin tones. In fact, the UV exposure in these two locations is more than twice as high as that in London and Newquay on average.

While the average UV rating can show where travellers need to take extra care, UV radiation changes throughout the day. As such, you should check the UV index daily to know how strong the sun’s UV rays are going to be.

Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed MBChB, a board-certified Dermatologist commented:

 

“When on holiday, it’s crucial to take measures to protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Here are some key steps to think about:

 

1. Check the UV index regularly: The intensity of sunlight changes throughout the day, reaching its peak strength between 10 am and 4 pm. Take extra care during this time and plan outdoor activities with this in mind.

 

2. Seek shade and limit sun exposure: When possible, find shade under umbrellas, trees, or use other forms of sun protection such as sun shelters or canopies. Minimise direct sun exposure, especially during the midday hours. But make sure you don’t rely on shade alone - as you can still be exposed to UV rays!

 

3. Wear protective clothing: Cover exposed skin by wearing loose-fitting and lightweight clothing. Opt for long sleeves, trousers, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes and face.

 

4. Leave enough time for your sun cream to sink in: Use a broad-spectrum sun cream with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Apply it generously to all exposed areas of the skin at least 15-30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or more often if sweating, swimming, or towel-drying.”

There’s a lot of misconceptions shared – especially online – around the use of sun cream. To help sort fact from fiction, Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, has spoken to us to debunk some of the most common sun cream myths.

“Although the intensity may be lower than direct sunlight, UV rays are still able to get through clouds and even glass. This means that your skin can still be exposed to radiation, even on cloudy days or while near windows indoors. To avoid skin damage, it’s best to wear SPF consistently, even if the weather seems less sunny.”

“SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how much protection sun cream offers against UV rays. While higher SPFs do offer more protection, the difference is fairly small; SPF 50 blocks around 98% of UV rays, which is just 1% more than SPF 30 that blocks around 97%. The most important thing to remember is that no sun cream can offer 100% protection from sun damage, so you should still take other steps to protect yourself (such as wearing protective clothing and keeping in the shade).”

“A base tan does not make you less likely to burn or less vulnerable to the harmful effects of radiation.” “A base tan only gives the same protection as SPF 2-4, which is not enough to prevent skin damage. In fact, a tan itself is a sign of skin damage caused by UV radiation. Whether you have a tan or not, you should always take precautions to protect yourself from the sun, including wearing enough sun cream.”

“Makeup with SPF can offer an extra layer of protection, but it’s not enough to protect against sun damage on its own. The amount of makeup you wear will usually not contain as much SPF as you need to avoid skin damage. Because of this, it’s important to apply a sun cream with a good SPF underneath any makeup you wear, even if the makeup has SPF in it.”

“Sun cream helps to protect against UV rays, but it won’t protect you completely. Because of this, some UV radiation can still get through and cause your skin to produce melanin, which is the pigment that helps you tan. SPF 15 will block around 93% of UV rays when applied thoroughly. This means that approximately 7% of the rays will affect your skin. SPF 30 will block 97% and SPF 50, 98% of rays. This means you are still able to tan while wearing sun cream, although the amount you tan may be less.”

About Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed

 

Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed MBChB, is a board-certified dermatologist based in the UAE and a proud Co-founder of PowerYourCurls.com a platform dedicated to providing natural hair care solutions for people of all hair types.

 

Methodology

 

For 30 popular holiday destinations around the world, PayingTooMuch analysed the sunshine hours and UV index from June to September to work out an overall average.