What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?

What is UV and why can it be dangerous?

UV radiation is emitted by the Sun and penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere.

It enables our skin to produce essential vitamin D, which is important for the function of bones, blood cells and our immune system.

But too much UV can be harmful.

It can lead to skin cancer by damaging DNA in skin cells. UV also plays a substantial role in skin ageing, contributing to wrinkles and loosened folds.

It has also been linked to eye problems, including cataracts.

“Every exposure to UV, especially every sunburn, increases our risk of skin cancer,” says Prof Dorothy Bennett, from St George’s, University of London.

“Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is now the fifth commonest cancer in the UK.”