UV Index

[@LaNimrodelle]

in Australia, uv goes up to 13+. You go out all day unprotected in that, then make sure you have a skin check booked in soon 🙏🥵

[@claire28748]

When I was working outdoors in Hawaii it used to hit 15+ and it made me want to die 😭

[@Varenyam86]

WHAT 😅 our national weather site has a chart that goes up to 10 and we never even have that. 13? 15?! Djeez

[@moonlightfral7111]

⁠​⁠@@Varenyam86Where I used to live (Reunion island), UV goes up to 18 officially 😭

[@eamon1648]

The UV index only goes up to 11. Look it up if you don't believe me.

[@LaNimrodelle]

@@eamon1648 why of course! This is from the Australian government www.arpansa.gov.au/our-services/monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-index

[@Thevelvetbarfox]

Somehow the frazzled ponytail delivers the urgency of your message better😂

[@kcai988]

the kids are gonna be alright…. as long as there’s a constant stream of science-backed info about sun protection to combat those head ass tiktoks about how sunscreen is unnecessary, poisonous, etc etc so thank you as always for doing that!

[@Supercalifragil]

Yess maybe im not pro wearing sunscreen everyday as I haven't find anyone that suits me but I wish someone told that to the teachers at my school when I was younger they get us to train in the sun during the pick hours, my fair skin die because of that 😢

[@kcai988]

@@Supercalifragil oh man! need help with picking out a sunscreen that might work better for you?

[@DLlynaLaRei]

As a person with relatively highly melanated skin, I check!. Melanin only does so much and I appreciate being able to have the healthiest (and youngest looking) skin and body as I can.

[@Parmesito]

You're actually insane. Enjoy your vitamin d deficiency

[@un-sunskari298]

Just a small tip, for iPhone users you can add a widget for UV index on your lock screen! This is what i do and it helps a ton!

[@dosboot1]

The UV index is a linear scale, so I think you should wear sunscreen even below "3". It's not a dramatically lower dose.

[@casey-zd5mj]

that's assuming all sunlight causes irreversible damage

[@kristino5005]

Thanks to you and other derm creators, I am able to pass this knowledge on to my kids. My 7 year old got a slight tan yesterday on a bathing suit cutout area and she was like ‘Whoa! Sun damage. I need to apply extra extra sunscreen here from now on!’ Kids today really get it.

[@jeorgiaroach165]

Since you told me about this I check the UV Index. I hate the feeling of sunscreen so your advice has been a game changer.

[@DS-jp8ti]

Oh me personally I check every single day, you know why ? Because I hate to put sunscreen and everytime I got the chance to NOT put it, I take it !

[@Peridot07]

I put my tinted sunscreen on everytime I leave home bc I use it as makeup no matter the UV index

[@nataliearciniega2103]

Since its tinyed are you using enough though? ​@@Peridot07 or do you layer ur sunscreen on days you do actually need it? I also use tint daily as makeup but i use waaay less than im supposed to so i use a real sunscreen underneath and then my tint on top

[@Aaliyah597]

UVA are here even with clouds and low UV index... Put your sunscreen on!

[@jimbojimbo6873]

FAXXX

[@mirabella2154]

Yes

[@torifoxx1579]

Pro tip if you have an iPhone you can display the uv index on your Lock Screen (:

[@Kalidreamine]

That’s so good to know thank you!!!

[@uniquelegance]

How?

[@torifoxx1579]

@@uniquelegance edit your Lock Screen and add the uv index. The same way you change your wallpaper

[@amsterdame]

I wish I was gen alpha for reasons like this haha. And so I can be young again and not make the mistakes I made in life 😭

[@chesnolastname]

I think this every day.

[@boka5290]

Saaaaaaaaameeee

[@TheBLGL]

I’m an elder millennial/Xennial (born in 1982), and I’ve worn sunscreen my entire life, we knew about skin cancer back then, just because you chose to ignore it doesn’t make them smarter than any other generation.

[@AdamFeuerauge]

Nah you’re good. Gen Alpha has other problems like social media childhood and parental neglect

[@chesnolastname]

@AdamFeuerauge I had that too. 😆

[@swimsuitissue123]

I live in Scotland. It’s July and I’ve just checked, the UV index is either 3 or 4 for the rest of the week. Have I been wasting time and money this whole time 😭 I wear it in the winter too lol

[@Banana11128]

You may not burn under 3 but can still age

[@seanackerman6168]

UVB burns, UVA ages since it penetrates farther into the skin. Definitely wear sunscreen majority of the time regardless of the season, it hasn’t been a waste of money

[@swimsuitissue123]

Thank you guys

[@littlebitofhereandthere]

Was in Scotland last year this time.. damn the summer is cold there for us been Srilankan, living in UAE 😅

[@Berryations]

Look younger?? I think they are excited about the uv index being high so they can go layout and get the most for tanning 😂

[@Martin-nc3me]

True!!!

[@lydiaayala7829]

😂

[@violets-for-roses]

Yeah, this is sadly the trend in my country: high UV, no sunscreen and getting the darkest tan possible before the next school semester. 😭

[@MaidenHelll]

@@violets-for-rosesthat’s what it was like for me back in school 20 years ago

[@CC-px6ik]

Haha, I think you're right!

[@drina4706]

I check the UV Index almost every day!!! Just checked it several x today!!!

[@deanna7522]

They are going to look better!! I wish I knew back in the day!

[@amsterdame]

Same 😢

[@jesusmiguel1560]

nope. they’re on their phones, tablets, laptops all day . all that blue light also causes cancer and prematurely ages the skin

[@boka5290]

​​@@jesusmiguel1560LOL It can not compared. You are comparing a small device with a burning star. Not the same.

[@jesusmiguel1560]

@@boka5290 the size is irrelevant when you're on it all day and it's right in your face. read a study on it.

[@TheBLGL]

There is already tons of commentary out there about how Gen Z looks like they are in their 30s and 40s in their 20s thanks to their “preventative” Botox and overuse of fillers, so I do not believe this at all. Tons of the elder Gen Zers look older than me, and I’m 42.

[@pamelagileno5483]

Or you just ask Alexa what your UV index is gonna be that day. I do this whenever I'm gonna go outside for any reason. I kinda hate sunscreen but I know if the UV index is under 3 you're in the low risk zone. In Alaska, we are largely in the low risk zone all year long lol If it's 3 or above I'm slapping my KBeauty sunscreen on first.

[@SecurityOffDuty]

I’ve watched Below Zero on Alaska before winter comes, you guys living on savage terms get hunting and fishing for food throughout last until spring. Still dont understand wear heavy duty clothing and have expensive snow mobiles, yet living like it’s camping as living.

[@medhapatel6174]

They also say to not wear sunscreen under a index of 3 because it can limit vitamin d exposure

[@pamelagileno5483]

@@SecurityOffDuty I don't live in that part of Alaska thankfully. We're an hour north of anchorage.

[@stephaniepugh4963]

Alaska is such a beautiful state! I went there a couple years ago and I didn't want to go back home lol! The mountains are breathtaking, the ocean, the animals it's so beautiful ! ❤

[@hamdankhan9103]

please make a haircare series

[@niccoloreiss842]

I check the uv index when I feel lazy and don’t want to put on sunscreen. If it’s above a 2 I put it on anyway (the area I live in gets higher UV-A levels due to altitude so I prefer using spf when the UV index is 2+ rather than 3+ for a bit of extra security). In other words, the uv index is what I use to force myself into using spf when I feel lazy.

[@jesseshaver2262]

What about UVA rays? I heard they are steady until it’s dark out, and may even be higher intensity when sun is lower. And UVA is primarily what contributes to external photoaging, right?

[@Siberius-]

UV Index factors in UVA.

[@dhivyaakg5614]

Thank you doc.....plz keep educating all of us

[@aellalee4767]

I put the sunscreen on if it's higher than 1. We get 0 a lot where I live, but I don't always trust the index. When in doubt, I put it on!

[@brendatomlinson]

Where do you live that it’s zero!? Wow!

[@aellalee4767]

@@brendatomlinson Canada. We have winter for almost 6 months of the year, sometimes more sometimes less. We get a chunk of zero days, and I'm not talking about being up at the arctic circle when it's no sun for a month. We get heavily overcast and are bundled up in all the layers including covering our faces at -40°C because air hurts to breathe outside if you don't cover up a bit. It's really pretty weather though.

[@novapersson8347]

We have a lot of zeros too in Sweden

[@ana-nim]

We have a lot of zeros in Russia as well. My city in particular has only 60 sunny days per year.

[@aellalee4767]

@@ana-nim wow! I moved from the rainy part of Canada to the prairies. I missed the sun. We still don't have it much during winter, but I needed more than just summer sun.

[@bueno07]

I check the UV index everyday but I'm trying to just wear sunscreen everyday! Since adding glycolic acid in to skincare routine, it's been a real motivator to wear sunscreen everyday.

[@amaiwaez]

UV index is one of my widgets on my iPhone and Apple Watch. That’s how I determine if i should go outside or later. My sunscreen lasts longer if I’m smart about my outgoings 😅

[@oxanam5617]

Makes me really appreciate my cold northern location where uv index rarely go higher than 3 .

[@beechan84]

I wear the damn sunscreen everyday!! (Texas summers are almost guaranteed UV 10!) Also, I've gotten into wearing hats for some extra help. (Especially since I use retinol)

[@theeditor1149]

I dont check the UV index because South Africa gets a lot of sunlight (we are one of the countries that gets most of the sunlight in the world) so a lot of people just work on the premise that the index is always high because it's bright and sunny most of the time even in colder parts of the country in winter so we just wear sunscreen every day whether we know the index or not. It's cool to check and know the uv index, though, so don't get complacent.☀️

[@blissykissy]

PUT IT ON A WIDGET ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN! SAY IT WITH ME ✨ PLEASE PUT THE UV INDEX ON A WIDGET ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN✨ literally never have to check it. You just open your phone and it’s right in your face.

[@user-zd9eb5li7b]

What app? How?

[@blaire.l.n]

This is what I was going to say! Saves me every time, and is a particularly great when you’re deciding whether or not to reapply

[@blaire.l.n]

@@user-zd9eb5li7b this is if you have an iPhone. If so, google how to add/change the widgets on your lock screen. It’s super easy

[@drina4706]

How does one go about doing that???

[@marniejones331]

How can u do that?

[@bindib352]

I’ve just downloaded the Apple weather app and this feature is great! It even tells you what hours you should wear sunscreen! Thing is, I’m so used to putting it on at any time if I step out and there is daylight that I’d feel weird not doing so even if the UV level was showing as less than 3. I’m going to try though.

[@kristenmoreno1422]

You can select to add the weather widget on your iPhone screen and customize it to show the UV index. I see it everyday on my smart watch / phone lock screen. I put sunscreen on every day. In addition to checking the UV; it is the best habit to get into. It’s good so I know if I need to bring the bottle to reapply 😊😉😌

[@samanthaknepscheld9556]

Here in Aus there’s not many weeks in the year when the UV doesn’t get above 3. Just wear it all year round

[@elisamartinez3881]

I'm in south Texas. I don't need to check even when there's overcast. I still wear my sunscreen

[@trishna_6815]

I've been checking uv index multiple times a day for the last 20 years!

[@bronwynreijnders7205]

I've added a weather app on my phone that announces the UV index to me every morning! I out the sunscreen on anyway, but it's nice to know when I REALLY need to reapply. Sunscreen that doesn't cause cystic acne on me almost immediately is so expensive 😢

[@cynthiagilbreth1352]

Since I saw one of your videos, I check it pretty often. Not too often, since as it's July and sunny, it will be 8-9.

[@ashleyh9695]

I began wearing SPF 90 DAILY in 6th grade, and sunglasses as well, totally covered my skin, avoided the outdoors. I already had damage from when I was even younger, but my skin looked GREAT until a freak condition a few years ago (Hyperkeratosis), prior to that I always was guessed to be about 10 years younger than my age. Oof, not fair. ❤️💛💙

[@annaconway7009]

The UV index where I live is always 10 I live in the California desert! I don't go outside it's tools stinking hot! I had to drive an hour yesterday to go to town and I slathered myself with broad spectrum SPF 50! I've had 2 scares of skin cancer several years ago and one was ready to turn into Melanoma, where the damn sunscreen! 😱

[@mykidsaresupercute]

I keep the index on my watch. I check it every time I have to go outside

[@nightmare-fuel]

I always check the UV index, I’m going to reapply and take my UV umbrella anyway, but sometimes I need to know if I should struggle through a upf parka despite the heat

[@HayleyPhoebe]

💯 Gen alpha is about water, sun protection and people living their dreams

[@rakshithareddy5894]

I have it on my lockscreen now 😂 I live in India so even it’s pouring outside u def need sunscreen. The best thing is it not just shows uv index but also shows if it’s high, moderate or low so. One of the reasons I like iPhone (idk if this feature is present in android cuz I only used one kind of android phone for 5 years before switching to iPhone recently)

[@jemrawc]

My 3 kids are 19, 17 and 15. They fully understand UV index and regularly check the local weather app to find out what it is daily… BUT they do this to find when it will be highest that day. So they can go outside tanning during the peak and get extremely excited about it being 8-10! All while refusing to wear sunscreen! Where did I go so wrong?!!? Thought I was a good Mom as I applied and reapplied sunscreen on each kid since they were toddlers. Taught them (age appropriate) why sunscreen is a necessity, to understand the UV index and how to properly apply/reapply sunscreen. To top it off my Mom had skin cancer so they know all about it and watched her treatments. Sadly their beloved Grandma passed away but from (her original diagnosis) breast cancer. Anyone else find themselves in a similar situation?

[@gracesull78756]

(so sorry this is so long, have a kinda similar situation and am studying medical science so unfortunately just had even more to say haha) not a parent, but my sister understands the risks (more like "understands" bc clearly she doesn't) but is the same w UV and trying to get as tan as possible, using maybe 15 spf tops only bc it's in an oil designed to increase tanning 😑🤦‍♀️ gave up on fighting it honestly. lot of misconceptions and misinformation on sunscreen/ UV damage that help ppl be willing to brush off importance. maybe check in to see current understanding (eg. spf isn't just for burn prevention, even tan/darker skin risks UV damage, no such thing as healthy tan/all tans are sign of damage, etc.). i say this bc if so then it's easier to re-present facts or even stats for exposure's exponential increase of cancer and mortality. idk sometimes having to directly confront and stop ignoring it can help break the cognitive dissonance of "but i'll be fine, i'll be the exception to ___". so sorry to hear about your loss, i'm sure that only makes it harder to see them so unconcerned about this, especially if skin cancer runs in the family. if they're already very aware of the genetic component of cancer they might've inherited and how much that increases risk (much less addition of environmental factors like sun exposure) and a reminder doesn't help, i rly dk what can be done to convince someone to care about their health. have the same trouble with my family and it's so frustrating. all tans are skin damage (not just burns as many think), but any spf is better than none and it's still possible to tan w it, so as much as i roll my eyes at my sister, maybe a product "promoting tanning" w even a little spf could get them to have at least some protection. are they opposed to fake tan? bc there are lots now that appear natural instead of orange and give the more golden/tan look they want. i will say, idk how comforting it is, but a lot of skin cancers found later in life are actually majorly caused by initial high exposure in childhood that continues developing over time. even perfect spf use after can only prevent added damage/severity, bc unfortunately it's already started and can't be reversed, only slowed/not sped up. so in this sense you've at least set them up rly well being such a responsible parent.

[@bsummers1386]

No they are specifically looking at a high UV index to TAN. There’s a whole trend rn on tik Tok about it

[@Gob_123]

Even better. The app tells you whether you should wear sunscreen so you don’t even need to memorise the numbers

[@marinetteesguerra7460]

You look great,Doc... 🇵🇭🙂❤️👩‍🦰👍

[@AmaranthMalaika]

I use to take a break on cloudy days till I stopped assuming and noted on some days regardless it was high, so now I ✨️wear the damn sunscreen everyday ✨️😅

[@Livinlifeforleo]

Your clothes are always so cute miss fashionista!!!!

[@elizabethbroadnax2421]

I wear the sunscreen no matter what. If it’s above 3 or going to get there while I’m out I add a upf hat or umbrella if I’m going outside for any time longer than a walk to my car. That’s how use the index that I keep on my watch. I’m not trying to have leather skin.

[@user-pw3tg5ol7c]

PEOPLE WHO NEVER USED SUNSCREEN B4 THE ADVENT OF SUNSCREEN HAVE MUCH MUCH BEAUTIFUL SKIN THAN US. i have lots of brown spots but my father and mother has beautiful skin even at this age. Whats the reason?

[@swimsuitissue123]

That’s 3 people

[@lexc.7991]

Woow thank you for explaining! For how man skin professional KZbinrs I’ve watched preaching to wear sunscreen-I’ve never seen this talked about!

[@TheBLGL]

That’s because good dermatologists tell you to wear it daily, no matter what the UV Index.

[@beatsg]

We always had the UV on the weather growing up in Australia. Slip, slop, slap!

[@corinne.loves.29]

In my experience the teenage girls usually check because they want to tan outside during PE, not because they're wearing sunscreen.

[@jadegreen1554]

“Damn, they’re gonna be so much more ahead of us than we are” 😅😅 You expressed what we all feel😅

[@r0uge7]

Eyeliner tutorial please 😍

[@smorales1489]

Where I live, the UV index today was 11 😅

[@wendy8561]

I love THIS- was that your daughter in the passenger seat lol she's like Mom lolol love you soooooo much ❤

[@FaceItGrace]

I don't check the UV index but would personally rather be safe than sorry myself and wear my SPF. I have a family history of skin cancer mainly in my dad's family. Even in winter the UV index is higher than many of us know sometimes, because the sun isn't out as much.

[@oliwiam7255]

im just asking Siri when im getting ready and it works. also ive noticed that when i wear less sunscreen (like 4 times a week max) my skin looks better than if i showered myself with it every day every few hours. for me moderation is the case especially when i dont live on the desert just normal moderate european climate

[@user-ep7om8hs8u]

Where you got that wonderful shirt from? :)

[@okladiaprd]

in my city the uv index is always 10 or above😅 i pretty much accepted that i have to use my sunscreen all year round

[@rainbowrafiki6022]

Lol I'm allergic to the sun so I just don't go out 😂

[@bellasrabinpu]

I live in florida. Sunscreen is a must every day

[@Alex-dj9qj]

For my Samsung peeps, you could have the UV index as a widget on your lockscreen. It was very interesting to see the UV index at 1 for the entirety of the autumn and winter in the UK 😂

[@rosamoreno4794]

I am 47 and always check the UV but consistently wear sunscreen. I didn’t start until age 34 😳

[@robyndawn]

Thank you 😊

[@bladder7278]

Hi doc! Do you have any recommendations on how to treat melasma? Thank you!

[@db-gb5xi]

Check her videos on melasma.

[@andreagray202]

Unfortunately, their is a current trend of tweens and teens checking the UV index and deliberately waiting for it to be high so they can go outside and tan😩I’m an Aesthetician and I’m hearing this a lot from my parent clients. And I’ve heard it directly from a couple of my teen clients. Yes, they received a very dramatic and unsolicited speech😂 For a minute I thought, wow people are gonna have way better skin in the future because they actually have all the info they need to protect it! NOPE. The jobs of aestheticians, plastic surgeons and dermatologists have been firmly secured for many years to come.

[@Ashley-fc7kd]

the thing i’m confused about is that i like to take walks at 7pm but it’s summer and the sun is still shining yet the UV index says it’s 0. should i still wear sunscreen? i can still visibly feel the sun shining on me

[@Siberius-]

The UV level can be non-existent, while the sun is still pretty high in the sky and boiling hot. It's weird, but UV is just determined by different things.

[@marta9854]

How often do you reapply sunscreen throughout the day, and what do you do the makeup girlies do? 😅

[@EnaLikes]

Every two hours I think. And honestly I’m wondering the same thing. I hear about a sunscreen balm but that sounds greasy. I guess just don’t wear a thick layer of makeup

[@midoriasakusa]

watching the UV only go to 6+ for 1 hour everyday in the middle of summer does make me greatful i dont live elsewhere

[@brettgirl]

Wow the UV index looks A LOT different in Denver

[@jenniferkenner1290]

Isn’t the UV index all about the burning rays, and the aging rays (A, not B) are constant? I have read the A rays pass through clouds and glass, etc.

[@AislingDonohoe]

Problem is it often changes from what it says it will be as the day progresses....

[@aleejjj]

Weather, yes Uv, no.

[@KaraB1353]

You can also make it a widget on your Home Screen like I did 😅

[@belayisi]

How do you reapply sunscreen during the day when you have oily skin? Wash the face first or just slap it on?

[@db-gb5xi]

Check her sunscreen videos as she usually covers reapplication in those.

[@00Imochan]

where do you get that blouse from?

[@user-ep7om8hs8u]

Also would Love to know ❤❤❤

[@holidayjunkie92]

just in time, thanks!

[@laurelm2333]

Geesh no need to be rude calling me lazy out here 😂 I didn't know! Gonna be checking now

[@sydneybristo22]

I check it everyday! I try my best to go out only when it's 3 or below.

[@syubbi]

I have a live uv tracker on my Lock Screen so whenever I check the time I can see the uv 🫡 i hate wearing sunscreen so I avoid going outside if it’s over 3/4 😂

[@SVB0513]

Just curious if even the UV Index is below 3 will you still tan?

[@s.7948]

Iv never checked the uv index just applied sunscreen every single day!

[@xristinarose2409]

This is really easy i do it every time before i go outside but most of the time if you are early or late then the sun doesnt matter anymore because index is 1 at max

[@mrcat1043]

you can also put it as a widget on your lock screen!

[@rosem6861]

You wear the sunscreen in the morning, reapply and then put on foundation, what’s the best way to reapply once you have foundation?

[@JenIsHungry]

Where I live, half the year is a uv index of 3 lmao

[@user-qx1pk4fj3j]

I check the UV index every day 😂

[@Vaurey]

Ngl the new gen kids are going to be so fresh, healthy, and mentally prepared for anything because they don’t really give a SHIET

[@moon_xwasntavailable]

… yeah the only time I was checking it was when we were going to the beach daily in Greece. Otherwise, I’m British, the weather will be different in five minutes anyways and I’m only gonna get 2 hours of sunlight a day cause it’s pouring rain most the time so yes I am indeed not bothered

[@mazie.wilson]

How does UV index work tho? Sometimes I go outside at like 8 PM UV index is 0 but the sun is shining directly on my face still cause it’s not even sunset yet

[@karafern.]

The angle of the sun affects the index. When it’s setting, there’s a LOT more atmosphere for those rays to travel through before they get to you. When it’s directly above you, not so much.

[@VisitorOfDreamlands]

I just stay in the apartment until evening... I'm a night owl and I work from home... 😋 And i also have weird reaction on heat, I tend to pass out sence I was a little.. don't know why... It's a curse for social life and blessing for a skin 😂

[@BookishDark]

Okay but can you tell me where to find sunscreen that doesn’t clog my already oily skin and get in my eyes?

[@helen7749]

Should i put sunscreen even if i stay inside my home ? With curtains and all that ?

[@teddybiscuit3980]

As somebody who lives in the equator I just wear the goddamn sunscreen everyday outside 😅

[@emagnusson6479]

Is there an index for UVA? Is uva same all year rund?

[@reaganburrell]

If you have apple you can save it on your lock screen

[@ErikaLasmarias]

If it’s above 3, wear sunscreen. If it’s below 3, no need. But what about when it is 3?

[@morandaramirez3279]

Ya I ain’t checking that everyday 😅

[@illustratorsgarden]

Except they’re checking it to go lay out and soak up the higher UV. 😮

[@untaintedwheelchair]

So I was a little too 'sun smart', and after getting a blood test back my vitamin D level came back as 'undetectable'. Needless to say, get some supplements if you use a lot of sunscreen.

[@longlostcowgirl2010]

Question: How do you explain to someone who keeps mentioning "in my day we didn't wear sunscreen, and we XYZ" personal anecdotes aren't realistic data, the risks are more than "Gen Z wears sunscreen and they look so old. Besides, one ever wore sunscreen in the 1900s"....? I grabbed my ☕️...I'll wait, Doc and thanks ahead of time.