Myth busted: You can't get burnt on a cloudy day

UV radiation is energy produced by the sun. The two typesthat reach the earth’s surface are UVA and UVB.

UVB is the primary cause of sunburn, while UVA can penetratemore deeply into the skin and contributes to premature skin ageing andlong-term skin damage. Both types of UV radiation can damage skin cells andcontribute to the development of skin cancer.

Unlike heat, UV radiation doesn’t disappear when the temperature drops or the clouds move in. Depending on the type and thickness of the cloud cover, some UV can still pass through and reach your skin. In some conditions, clouds can even reflect or scatter UV radiation, increasing exposure in certain areas. (Cancer Council Australia)

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Cloud cover may reduce UV levels, but it does notreliably block them. The level of protection you need depends on the UV Index,your location, the time of day, the season and how long you plan to be outside.

Australia and New Zealand experiences high levels of UVradiation, and skin can be damaged even when the weather feels mild. The goodnews is that protecting your skin is one of the most effective ways to reducepreventable UV exposure. Making a habit of checking the UV Index can help youmake informed decisions, whatever the weather.

So, next time the forecast is cloudy, remember: the sun maybe hidden, but UV radiation may still be reaching your skin.

On a hot, sunny day, we are more likely to think about sunprotection. We may reach for a hat, apply sunscreen or look for shade becausewe can feel the heat on our skin.

Cloudy days are different. The cooler temperature can makeit difficult to recognise that UV levels may still be high. You might spendlonger outside because the weather feels comfortable, or skip sunscreen becausethe sun is not visibly shining. This can result in significant UV exposurebefore you realise it.

UV exposure can also happen during everyday activities,including walking the dog, gardening, watching sport, commuting or eating lunchoutdoors. You don’t need to be deliberately sunbaking to experience enough UVexposure to damage your skin.

It is also important to remember that sunburn may not appear immediately. According to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, sunburn and skin damage can take many hours to become visible. (ARPANSA)

The best way to decide whether you need sun protection is tocheck the UV Index, rather than relying on how warm or sunny it feels.

The UV Index measures the strength of UV radiation at the earth’s surface. In Australia, sun protection is recommended when the UV Index is 3 or above — regardless of whether the day is sunny, cloudy, cool or windy. (Cancer Council Australia)

You can check the UV Index and local sun protection timesusing your weather app, the SunSmart app, the Bureau of Meteorology or ARPANSA.

Cloudy or not, make sun protection part of your daily routine when the UV Index is 3 or above. Slip on protective clothing, slop onSPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. The clouds may hide the sun, but checking the UV Index helps ensure your skin isn’t left unprotected.