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Remember sun protection in autumn

In late summer and autumn, when the sky is cloudy, many people neglect to protect their skin from the sun’s rays – a widespread misconception that not only has unpleasant consequences, but also significantly increases the risk of skin diseases.

Clouds act like an invisible veil that seems to block out the sun. In reality, however, clouds allow up to 80 percent of UV rays to pass through. So-called “light” clouds are particularly dangerous, as they can reflect and even intensify sunlight. The deceptive thing about a cloudy sky is that you perceive the sun as less intense and therefore underestimate the risk of sunburn. The result: you stay outdoors longer without adequate protection – and your skin pays the price.

To minimize the risk of sunburn even on cloudy days, experts recommend always applying sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 30 or higher), especially if you are spending a long time outdoors. Sunscreen should be applied generously and reapplied regularly, especially after swimming or heavy sweating. Additional protective clothing such as sun hats, sunglasses, and light clothing are also advisable.

So anyone who thinks that sunscreen is unnecessary on a cloudy day should think again. Even in the shade or when the sky is slightly overcast, the danger is real and probably worse than you might think. The rule “better too much than too little” applies especially to sun protection. Your skin will thank you for it!

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Clouds and Sun
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UV index as a guide

The daily UV exposure and therefore the health risk at a location can be estimated using the UV index (UVI). It is published regularly by the German Weather Service and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. The higher the index, the faster sunburn can occur on unprotected skin

 The scale was developed by the World Health Organization and is internationally standardized. A UVI of 5, for example, means the same in USA as in South Africa.

More and more spring sunshine

In spring, the sun gains strength from day to day, even if the heat is still moderate. Measurement data shows that UV index values that make sun protection necessary can be reached as early as March.

The German Weather Service is also registering more and more hours of sunshine in spring. On average, the sun now shines 87 hours longer across Germany than in the period from 1961 to 1990, which further increases the UV risk.

According to the President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Inge Paulini, not everyone knows that you have to be careful even on sunny spring days. But “the awareness of many people that UV protection is important is growing”.

Water, sand and snow reduce radiation by reflecting it.

Shade, on the other hand, reduces UV exposure: under a parasol, for example, by around 10 to 30 percent, under a large tree with a dense canopy by around 20 percent.

The lighter the skin, the less it can protect itself against sunlight and the more sensitive it reacts. Skin that contains a lot of melanin and is therefore darker is better protected, but skin damage cannot be ruled out here either.

Children and adolescents need special protection as they are much more sensitive to UV rays than adults. Experts recommend that infants and small children under the age of two should not be exposed to the sun at all with uncovered skin.