When is uv rays the strongest

Oddly, it has this addictive quality to it—something about the whipped butter texture that has me excited to reapply every two hours. And, while I have you, here are some of my favorite SPF-packed products. Related Stories for GQ Skincare. While experts say these isolated incidents are not a major cause for concern, they add that precautions should be taken when staying out in the sun, especially between 10am and 3pm, when sun intensity peaks and UV radiation is strongest. This is because of its proximity to the equator, which puts the sun directly overhead most of the year, said Dr Abel Yang, physics lecturer at the National University of Singapore.

Other factors such as the amount of cloud cover also affect radiation levels. Over the past two weeks, Singapore has experienced some of the highest UV Index values recorded, including 12 last Friday, 13 last Saturday and Sunday, 15 on Monday and 14 on Tuesday. This could lead to ailments such as skin cancer, pigmentation and premature ageing of the skin in the long term. Sun protection is especially crucial for those with fair complexions, who have poorer immunity or medical conditions such as lupus that increase their sensitivity to UV, added Dr Koh.

Marketing intern Angela Goh, 21, has made sunscreen a part of her skincare routine. She previously banked on an SPF-infused foundation for sun protection. Ultraviolet UV radiation is the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that has a wavelength between nm and nm.

UV radiation breaks down into wavelengths that are invisible to the naked eye. As a guide, re-apply sunscreen every two hours, with more frequent re-application under strong sunshine. However, it depends on the type of cloud.

Dark, water-filled clouds may block out more UV rays than high, thin clouds. UV rays reflect off surfaces such as snow, water, sand, and pavement.

This can increase UV exposure. Choose sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection. A higher sun protection factor SPF will provide more protection, but remember that no sunscreen is percent effective at blocking out UV rays. When shopping for sunscreen, you may want to opt for a physical, or mineral-based, product.

Recent research has found that the ingredients in some chemical sunscreens can be absorbed into your blood. These ingredients are found in physical sunscreens.

Clothes can provide some protection from UV exposure. Tightly-woven dry fabrics are best. Many outdoor companies make clothes that provide increased protection from UV rays. Limit your exposure to direct sunlight by staying in the shade. This is most important between 10 a. Choose sunglasses that offer UV protection to prevent damage to your eyes and the surrounding skin.

However, the AAD advises against getting vitamin D from sun exposure or tanning beds, as UV rays can cause skin cancer. Rather, they recommend following a healthy diet that includes foods that are natural sources of vitamin D. These include fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel. When the sun is directly overhead, which only ever occurs in the tropics, sunlight has its shortest journey through the atmosphere.

When the sun is lower in the sky, more ultraviolet light is attenuated because the sunlight has a longer journey through the air. That means your body will get most UV at midday, when the sun is highest in the sky. Of course, it depends where you are on the planet, as UV increases when you are closer to the equator.

Climbing a mountain will also reduce the distance sunlight has to travel through the atmosphere before hitting you: UV radiation levels increase by about 10 per cent for every metres of ascent. In addition, UV exposure rises when you are on a highly reflective surface, like water, snow or even dry sand. About 20 years ago, I was taken by surprise when I discovered that my lower legs were sunburned after I had been wandering on the snow around Jungfraujoch in Switzerland, which is at an altitude of almost metres.

However, sunlight had reflected off the snow and up inside my trousers, burning my unprotected skin.