The heat continues unabated in many regions of Russia; the central and southern parts of the country are scorching under the sun. And here the UV index is expected to be high: 6-7 points for almost the entire week.
Dermatologist, cosmetologist and laser therapist Yulia Lyashenko told Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda what this means:
– First, I will explain to you what this UV index is in general, what numbers are normal, average, dangerous or very dangerous. This indicator was developed by the World Health Organization, as well as by the UN and the World Meteorological Organization. This index indicates the danger of ultraviolet radiation for human skin.
1. Safe – 0 to 2-3. You can be outdoors without any protective equipment.
2. Average danger class: 4-6. At this time, even in the shade, a person can already receive up to 50% of the daily dose of ultraviolet radiation. And even with these numbers, you need sunscreen, a hat with a brim, preferably clothing that covers most of the body.
3. Danger – 7-9. This is where sunscreen is definitely needed, but you should not show up with it during dangerous hours, i.e. 11am to 4pm.
4. Extremely dangerous – 10-13. This index is found in deserts.
“If the UV index is 6-7, even with light clouds during the day we can receive up to 90% of the daily dose of UV radiation in just a few minutes, if we are not protected with creams and clothing,” explains Yulia Lyashenko. – The most dangerous time is from 10 to 14 hours, at this time the sun falls at such an angle that a person will receive up to 60% of the daily dose of UV radiation. Much depends on the purity of the air: in dust and smog, exposure to UV radiation decreases, in clean air after rain it increases. Water and snow also reflect UV rays well. For those who like to lie near bodies of water, I advise you to take products with a higher protection factor (SPF).
And don’t think that if you go out for five minutes on the street you don’t need protection:
“I always tell my patients that even in five minutes it is possible to get an excessive dose of ultraviolet radiation,” says Yulia Lyashenko. – At best, this can manifest itself as post-traumatic and post-burn pigmentation. At worst, your benign formation that Mother Nature gave you (for example, moles, Ed.), can turn malignant. Unfortunately, melanomas (skin cancer) are appearing more and more frequently among the younger population. So be sure to use a cream with an SPF of at least 30. If you have fair skin, then at least 50. And in general, in the summer, I recommend that everyone, both brunettes and dark-skinned blondes, take creams or sprays with a high protection factor, starting from 50. SPF-30 is more for spring or autumn.
