The Truth about UV rays
R UV UGLY?
What are UV rays?
UV rays are a wavelength of light that our eyes can not see
They come from sunlight and sunbeds
UV rays are damaging to the skin and can cause your skin
cells to divide uncontrollably, this is what causes skin cancer
UV rays also make your skin age quickly so it looks leathery,
wrinkly and tough like the photos below!
How strong are they?
UV rays change in strength on different days
When it is sunny and clear UV rays are stronger
They are measured in an index from 1-10, 1 is the weakest,
10 is the strongest
Are they dangerous?
Too many UV rays are always dangerous!
The amount they damage your skin depends on your skin
type (how easily you burn), the strength of the UV rays and
what protection you use
How can I protect myself against them?
Know your skin type – type 1 = fair skin – type 6 = black skin
Know what the UV index is (you can use the Met Office
website or watch your local weather report)
Know what the risk is
Know how to protect yourself
This table will help you work out your risk of sunburn
Protecting yourself:
Low risk = no protection needed
Medium risk = take care between 11am-3pm and don’t
stay in the sun for long without sunscreen
High risk = wear SPF 15 sunscreen, cover up and spend
time in the shade between 11am-3pm
Very High risk = definitely wear at least SPF 15
sunscreen, cover up well and stay in the shade at all
times between 11am-3pm
DU RLY WNT 2 B UV UGLY?