Have You Ignored The UV Index?

Did you check the temp and the chance of precipitation today when you got dressed? Maybe you even checked humidity? How about your chances of skin damage? Your risk of skin cancer is directly related to the amount of sun exposure, and you’ve been ignoring a basic weather fact you need to know about daily: the UV index. We don’t hear it reported in the news, we forget to adjust our out door time, our clothing, our sun screen, and our skin antioxidant protection. And here are some tips:

1. Generally the UV index is related to sun and time of year and where you live

2. UV index will usually be reported between about 0-10, it is listed on most all weather apps daily, you just need to look.

3. Snow and water will double the UV exposure, and increase the UV index.

4. The greater the UV index, the more likely you are to burn; risking all the accompanying skin issues..

5. At UV index of a 3-4 you have risk of burning, almost regardless of your skin type, and you need to think about all the ways you can protect yourself, even limiting outdoor time

6. SPF in your sunscreen will let you know how much UV protection you have

7. Proper anti-oxidant topicals in your skin products can both protect against and reverse sun damage

8. Laser and other skin treatments can reverse sun damage as well.