What is the UV Index?

It’s no secret that the world of skin cancer and sun protection is a confusing one. L.U.V. is here to tackle each complicated topic piece by piece to ensure you make informed decisions when it comes to your sun safety. Today, we’re discussing one of our most frequently heard questions, “What is the UV Index?”

What is the UV Index?

According to AIM at Melanoma Foundation, the UV Index is a “daily prediction of the strength of a sun’s UV rays” depending on region. The index takes into account the time of year, your location and your altitude to give a rating that is designed to help you make informed decisions.

How is UV Index measured?

The UV Index predicts the risk of UV overexposure and ranges on a scale from 0-11+. The higher the UV Index, the greater the risk of harm from the sun’s UV rays.

LOW 0-2

A UV Index of 0-2 means there is a minimal chance of receiving damage from being outside. We suggest SPF and sunglasses to reduce any possible risk of sun reflecting off of surfaces like water or snow. The UV Index will never fall below a UV rating of 1 during daylight hours.

MEDIUM 3-5

A UV Index of 3-5 means there is still a low risk for damage, but precautions should be taken by wearing SPF 30+ and a hat to ensure your face is covered and protected.

HIGH 6-7

When the UV Index becomes a 6-7, it is best to seek out shade and avoid direct exposure. There is nothing worse than burnt lips, so in addition to SPF 30+, also apply an SPF chapstick to protect your lips.

VERY HIGH 8-10

When the UV Index is around 8-10, ensure you reapply sunscreen and seek out shade. For fair skinned people, the risk is great with the possibility to burn in less than 10 minutes.

EXTREMELY HIGH 11+

When the UV Index is extremely high with a rating of 11+, there is a very high risk of harm for unprotected sun exposure. It is advised that every precaution is taken to reduce risk, even staying indoors between peak hours of 10am-4pm if possible.

Picture via AIM at Melanoma

How do I check the UV Index?

Thankfully, checking the UV Index is simple thanks to the iPhone Weather app. If you’re in the app, select your location and then scroll to the bottom. At the bottom, you’ll see items like chance of rain, humidity and the UV Index. With this app, you can make informed decisions of how much sun exposure is appropriate depending on your skin type.

So now what?

Now that you’ve read this post, you have the basics to make informed decision and weigh your risks when it comes to sun exposure.