UV Protection

What does UV exposure mean?

UV protection includes methods to prevent the harmful effects of UV radiation. Effective measures include, for example, the use of sunscreen, wearing clothing, headgear and sunglasses, and staying in the shade.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or solarium has a particular effect on the skin and eyes. It can have various harmful effects on health. Even low levels of UV radiation cause immediate damage to the genetic material of the cells of the skin and eyes. The body can usually repair these. However, intensive UV exposure and frequent sunburns can overload the repair mechanisms and, in the worst case, lead to the development of cancer.

Harmful effects of UV-A and UV-B rays

Two types of UV radiation in particular are responsible for damage to health:

• Short-wave UV-B rays (with a wavelength of 280 to 315 nanometers) penetrate superficial skin layers and cause sunburn.
• Long-wave UV-A rays (with a wavelength of 315 to 400 nanometers) reach deeper layers of the skin and promote skin aging, for example.

Both UV-A and UV-B rays are important causes of skin cancer. UV radiation is not only harmful to the skin, but also to the eyes: Acute consequences of UV exposure include corneitis and conjunctivitis. In the long term, UV rays promote the development of cataracts.

When does UV protection make sense?

The stronger the UV exposure, the faster sunburn occurs. How high the UV exposure is on a certain day can be estimated on the basis of the UV index. This is a globally uniform measure that indicates the strength of UV radiation from the sun at a certain time and place.

Even with an average UV index of 3 to 5, it is advisable to protect yourself from UV radiation at an early stage – especially around midday, when the sun is vertical. Weather services provide information about the current UV index (e.g. via app or on the Internet).

How long can you stay in the sun without protection?

How much time a person can spend unprotected in the sun without risking damage to their health depends not only on the UV index. Among other things, the skin type is also decisive.

Experts usually distinguish between six different skin types, which react differently to UV radiation. While the natural UV protection of very light skin is a maximum of 15 minutes and then it reacts with sunburn, very dark to black skin almost never gets sunburned, even without UV protection.

What do SPF and UPF mean?

To extend the skin’s natural self-protection time, there are sunscreens and clothing with UV protection. Sunscreens also have the sun protection factor (SPF), also known as SPF (Sun Protection Factor). SPF 30, for example, means that a person can spend 30 times longer in the sun than without sunscreen.

Garments with UV protection are labeled with the so-called UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), which works similarly to the SPF but was developed specifically for textiles. A UPF of 50 means that only one-fiftieth of UV rays reach the skin. Clothing with high UPF is especially useful for very fair skin types or during prolonged outdoor activities when using sunscreen alone may not be sufficient.

Tips for the right sun protection of the skin

Optimal protection against UV radiation for skin and eyes is essential to avoid short- and long-term damage to health. The most important sun protection tips are:

Avoid strong sun: Refrain from intensive sunbathing and do not stay in direct sunlight during the sun’s highest point between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If the UV index is higher, it is best to plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon hours.

Use sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF (SPF of at least 20, fair skin types 30) that blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays. For optimal UV protection of the skin, apply the sunscreen generously to all exposed skin areas 20 minutes before exposure to the sun. Remember to renew them every two hours, or immediately after swimming or if you sweat profusely.

Choose the right clothes: Wear airy clothing, but it’s tightly woven. If you plan to spend a long time outdoors, clothing with special UV protection (UPF) is useful. A hat helps to protect the scalp and eyes. Also remember to cover the neck!

Don’t forget sunglasses: UV radiation also has harmful effects on the eyes and can cause corneal and conjunctivitis as well as cataracts. Wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. These are often labeled “UV 400” because they filter out UV rays with a wavelength of less than 400 nanometers. Make sure that the glasses are large enough to protect the eyes comprehensively.

Do not expose children to the sun: Infants and toddlers have particularly sensitive skin. They must be protected from direct sunlight and overheating. It is recommended to stay in the shade with them and protect them from UV rays with skin-covering clothing. Until their first birthday, parents are better off avoiding sunscreen to avoid skin irritation. Protection through clothing and shade is in the foreground. For older children and adolescents, strict adherence to all sun protection rules is essential.

What myths are there about UV protection?

What myths are there about UV protection?

Many people do not take the need for sun protection seriously and underestimate the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin and eyes. Some myths also contribute to this, for example:

Myth 1: Pre-tanning makes UV protection superfluous

Tanned skin offers some protection against sunburn, but not against the harmful effect of UV radiation on the genetic material. Pre-tanning can therefore not replace sun protection measures.

Myth 2: I get a tan faster after a sunburn

Sunburn must be avoided at all costs, as it is a direct risk factor for skin cancer. Sunburn is also not necessarily a harbinger of later tanning: There are skin types that always react to sunburn due to sun exposure – without ever tanning.

If you have not been able to prevent sunburn, you can get useful tips in the article “What helps against sunburn?”.

Myth 3: I don’t have to apply sunscreen in the shade

Shade does not provide complete protection against UV radiation but reduces UV exposure by about half. With a high UV index and especially for very light skin types and children, additional sun protection measures are necessary.

Myth 4: There is no risk of sunburn when the sky is cloudy

Light clouds reduce UV exposure by only five to ten percent, dense clouds by 30 to 70 percent. Therefore, if necessary, use other methods to protect against UV radiation.

Myth 5: I can reuse sunscreen next summer

Sunscreens usually remain effective for at least two and a half years when stored normally and unopened. You can therefore use an unopened cream from last summer without hesitation. How long an opened sunscreen can still be kept is shown by the jar symbol that you will find on all cosmetic products. You should no longer use an expired sunscreen.

Myth 6: Sun protection promotes vitamin D deficiency

In fact, the body needs the sun’s UV-B rays to make vital vitamin D. However, a low UV exposure is sufficient for this – under no circumstances should sunburn be risked. Experts recommend exposing your face, arms and hands to direct sunlight two to three times a week uncovered and without sunscreen. For the formation of vitamin D, it is sufficient if you do this for half the time you can spend unprotected in the sun without getting sunburned.

Myth 7: I don’t have to reapply waterproof sunscreen

If you use a sunscreen declared waterproof, you will still have to apply sunscreen again after bathing. According to the consumer magazine Ökotest, it can be assumed that after half an hour in the water, more than half of the protection is washed off.

Myth 8: Sunscreen should not be used daily

You can use sunscreen every day without hesitation – the products are considered safe and have far more advantages than disadvantages for the skin due to their UV protection function.

Precautionary measures to be taken in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), with its geographical location and climatic conditions, experiences high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation throughout the year. The UAE’s position near the Tropic of Cancer and its desert climate contribute to intense solar radiation, including UV rays. The country experiences high levels of sunshine throughout the year, with peak UV radiation during the summer months from June to September. The clear skies and minimal cloud cover typical of the UAE further exacerbate UV exposure.

According to studies, UV Index levels in the UAE can often reach extreme values, particularly during the summer. The UV Index is a measure of the strength of UV radiation at a particular place and time, and values above 11 are considered extreme, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. This necessitates significant caution and protective measures for residents and visitors alike.