Know and understand the UV index

Sun protection, whatever it may be, should not be chosen at random. To find the best protection, you need to take into account different factors: skin type of course, but also the UV Index. What does this term mean and how to interpret it? We tell you everything.

The UV index: understand it to better protect yourself

The UV index is an indicator of the intensity of solar radiation and therefore the risk it represents for the skin and health. The higher this index, the greater the radiation and therefore the greater the risk of sunburn. It varies according to several factors which are:

• Time of day : For example, there are three times more UV rays at 2 p.m. than at 10 a.m.
• Latitude : In summer, the UV index reaches values ​​3 times higher, for example in Martinique than in Norway.
• The altitude : The UV index increases by 10% at an altitude of 1000 m.
• The time of year : In France, it is around June 21, which corresponds to the summer solstice, that there is the most UV.

Knowing the UV index therefore gives a very good indication of the danger posed by exposure to the sun at a given moment. It then allows you to adapt your protection but also to avoid exposure altogether if the risk is too high.

Adapt your protection to the UV index

Discover the risks of sun exposure based on the UV index, as well as advice on how to protect yourself. Note that protection must obviously be adapted to your skin type.

UV index 1 and 2 : The danger is low

However, it is advisable to wear sunglasses, both adults and children.

UV index 3 and 4: The danger is moderate

Even though these indices remain relatively low, they require wearing glasses, a hat and sunscreen, especially for children and people with sensitive skin. It only takes 40 minutes of exposure to get sunburn! However, people with dark skin can make do with a sunscreen with SPF 15.

UV index 5 and 6 : The danger is high

The first sunburn can occur in just 25 minutes. It is therefore best not to expose young children during the hottest hours and to make them wear sunglasses, a hat, an anti-UV t-shirt or swimsuit and sunscreen on exposed areas of the body. Adults with normal skin should also apply a suitable cream.

UV index 7 and 8: The risk is very high

In case of UV index 7 and 8, it takes less than 20 minutes for a child or adult with sensitive skin to get sunburn, 40 minutes for an individual with normal skin. We will therefore avoid exposing the youngest to the sun between 12 and 4 p.m. Sunglasses, hat, swimsuit or anti-UV clothing and sunscreen on exposed areas are essential for everyone!

Index 9: The risk is extreme

15 minutes is enough to get sunburned! The ideal is to avoid exposure or at least protect yourself as much as possible with the full range: Sunglasses, anti-UV clothing and swimsuit, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat.

UV rays: friends or enemies of the skin?

As soon as the first rays of spring appear, it's impossible to resist! We only want one thing: to enjoy the good weather and sit on a terrace or on a deckchair with a good book. The sun is good for morale and also plays a vital role in fixing calcium in the bones thanks to the vitamin D that it provides us generously. Nice complexion, strong bones, great morale: that's for the good sides! However, we must expose ourselves to the sun in moderation and never forget to protect ourselves and the most fragile, especially children. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, allergies but also promote the occurrence of skin cancers. So the sun yes, but always in moderation and without forgetting suitable protection!

To discover the entire collection of anti-UV swimsuits for babies, girls and boys, click here