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Understanding and Using the Sun/UV Index

Though the World Health Organization (WHO) and many governmental agencies worldwide have established guidelines for determining sun/ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, sun/UV damage to human skin is dependent upon several factors. The speed with which this damage occurs depends not only on the strength of the ultraviolet radiation, but also on individual skin color (lighter skin is damaged far faster than darker skin).

Determine Your Skin Color
Most skin specialists recognize seven different skin colors. However, for those of us without a medial degree, it is easier to consider just four categories:

Light or white skin that burns easily and tends not to tan.
Light or white skin that tans easily.
Brown skin.
Black skin.

Note: If you are at all unsure as to which category your skin most resembles, always opt for the paler category.

Risk for Skin Damage
Sun/UV Index
Number/Color 		Light Skin
Burns Easily		 Light Skin
Tans Easily 		Brown Skin Black Skin
one greentwo green Low Low Low Low
three yellowfour yellowfive orange Medium Low Low Low
six redseven redeight red High Medium Low Low
nine purpleten purple Very High High Medium Medium
eleven purple Extremely High High High Medium
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