UV (ultraviolet) radiation is a type of energy that comes from the sun. It's invisible to the naked eye but has some important effects.

When our skin is exposed to UV radiation, it can cause sunburn, skin aging, and even increase the risk of skin cancer.

There are three types of UV radiation:

1. UVA: This is the type that causes skin aging.

2. UVB: This is what causes sunburn.

3. UVC: It's the most dangerous, but luckily, it's mostly absorbed by the Earth's ozone layer and doesn't reach us.

So, when you hear about protecting yourself from the sun, it's often about shielding yourself from these harmful UV rays.

UV Index is a measure of the strength of UV radiation from the sun at a particular place and time. In simpler terms, it's a way of measuring how easily you could get sunburned or have other skin damage from the sun.

The UV Index scale typically ranges from 0 to 11+:

• UV Index 0-2: Low risk, you might not need much protection.

• UV Index 3-5: Moderate risk, you should wear sunscreen and maybe a hat.

• UV Index 6-7: High risk, you need to be extra careful, wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

• UV Index 8-10: Very high risk, you should seek shade and avoid being outside during peak sun hours if possible.

• UV Index 11+: Extreme risk, you're at high risk of sunburn and other skin damage, so it's best to stay indoors or under shade.

So, the higher the UV index, the stronger the sun's rays, and the more precautions you should take to protect your skin such as sunblock, and sun protective clothing; wide brim sun hats, sun protective shirts, sun protective swimwear such as long-sleeved rash guards with the maximum UPF rating of 50+. 

Temperature itself does not directly impact the UV index, but here are the factors that do:

Angle of the Sun: when the sun is higher in the sky, the UV rays have less atmosphere to travel through, resulting in increased levels of UV radiation.

Ozone concentration in the atmosphere: ozone absorbs much of the sun’s harmful UV radiation. The ozone layer is thinner in the Spring and Summer which allows more UV radiation to penetrate and reach the surface of the Earth.

Latitude: As you get closer to the equator, the intensity of UV radiation increases and remains high regardless of the season

Altitude:

• As the altitude increases the air thins, which means there’s less air to absorb and scatter the UV radiation.

• At higher altitudes, you’re also closer to the sun; sun rays have a shorter distance to travel and less opportunity to be absorbed or scattered by the atmosphere.

Cloud Cover: Clouds absorb and diffuse UV radiation. Thick clouds can significantly reduce the amount of UV rays that reach the earth’s surface by blocking and scattering the light. However, clouds can also reflect UV radiation back toward the Earth’s surface increasing UV exposure on surfaces like snow and water. 

UV rays can still penetrate clouds to some extent, and sunburns can occur even on cloudy days. It’s important to remain vigilant and wear those protective layers to prevent skin damage.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can directly damage the DNA in our skin cells. This damage is what can cause our skin cells to grow uncontrollably, potentially leading to skin cancer.

There are various skin problems that can occur when our skin has prolonged sun exposure:

• Sunburns: When UV radiation damages the outer layers of the skin causing inflammation, redness, and pain - sometimes blistering.

• Premature Aging: UV radiation accelerates the aging process of skin, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, or even skin tone issues.

• Weakened Immune Response: UV radiation can suppress the immune system in the skin, making it less able to repair damaged cells and more vulnerable to infection.

• Skin Cancer: Prolonged exposure to UV increases the risk of developing skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Overall, the damaging effects of UV radiation on the skin highlight the importance of protecting ourselves from excessive sun exposure through measures such as wearing sunscreen, sun protective clothing and UV swimwear, and seeking shade when outdoors for extended periods.

Tanning and sunburns can occur at any UV index, but sunburns becomes more likely and severe as the UV index increases. Generally, a UV index of 3 or higher indicates an increased risk of tanning or sunburn, with higher UV index values indicating even greater risk. It's essential to take precautions to protect your skin whenever the UV index is moderate to high, typically between 3 and 11+.

In general, at a UV index of 1, it might take longer exposure compared to higher UV index values for sunburn to occur. It's still essential to your skins safety to take precautions such as wearing sunscreen, sun-safe swimwear, sun protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours, even at lower UV index levels.

My biggest fear when putting sunscreen on my kids is missing a spot, or five; that’s exactly why I put my kids in sun protective clothing whenever possible.

Sun protective clothing offers an effective and convenient way to protect your skin from UV radiation, reducing the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. When combined with other sun protection measures such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and seeking shade, sun protective clothing can help you enjoy the outdoors safely.

I wouldn’t be caught without having my children in a high-visibility (hivis or hiviz) neon long-sleeve rash guard at a beach, pool, or splashpad outting. They offer the highest UPF; quick dry, lightweight comfort; and safety through visibility with our bright neons. 

Curious why?

Neon colors often have high visibility due to their ability to reflect visible light. This high visibility indicates that a significant portion of the light, including UV radiation, is being reflected away from the fabric rather than absorbed. Unlike traditional spectrum colors, neon colors absorb invisible ultraviolet light and then emit a visible glow. This is why neons fluoresce under water while other colors dim.

As a result, our neon-colored rash guards can provide better protection against UV radiation and added safety through visibility when your littles are playing in and around water.

If a successful and sunburn free Summer is your goal, be sure to pack your HiViz neon children’s rash guards and bottoms, sunblock, hats, and sunglasses. Stay alert of the UV index where you’re planning to be outdoors and take proper UV protective measures. Check out the EPA’s app for UV Index.