UV Singapore
Day to day, we are exposed to Ultraviolet (UV). As Singapore is high as the country is located close to the equator and receives direct sunlight.
The level of UV radiation is indicated as UV index (UVI). Singapore's UV is measured by Changi Meteorological Station on daily basis. Singapore’s average UVI ranges between 6-9. Typically, UVI is the highest between 11am to 3pm.
UVI 0-2 – low
UVI 3-5 – moderate
UVI 6-7 – high
UVI 8-10 – very high
UVI 11 – extreme
There are 3 bands of UV, i.e. UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB reach the ground surface, while UVC is blocked by ozone layer in the atmosphere. UVA and UVB cause damage to skin, and prolonged or excessive UV exposure will lead to premature aging and skin cancer.
UVB from sunlight is important for bone and muscle health. UVB energy converts the precursor to vitamin D3 in your skin and is carried to liver and kidney prior to becoming an active vitamin D which increases intestinal absorption of calcium. Yet, the effectiveness of UVB energy conversion depends on geography, air quality, diet, color of skin, weather condition, time of day and year and so on.
Manmade devices such as indoor lightings and laser emits UVC. UVC exposure has no known acute or long-term damage to human.
Over time, skin and eye sensitivity to UV may be increased, partially due to cosmetics, antibiotics, oral contraceptives that are being consumed for many reasons. Therefore, it is very important to maintain skincare routine to strengthen our body’s first protection layer (i.e. skin) and cells against the damage caused by factors above.
Sources: 1) Singapore Ministry of Health and National Environment Agency 2) US FDA
How to protect from UV?
The weather has been unbearably hot these days with changing climate. Clothing with good Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) and fashionable hats are gaining popularity for their sun protection functionality. And we love sunglasses for sure!
Level up your UV protection. Sunscreen with SPF 50 can protect our skin well, and needs to be applied every 2-3 hours to protect our skin effectively.
But hey… “I have my nice makeup before heading out – how to cleanse my face every 2-3 hours for the sunscreen application?!”.
Some people who have makeup on will "touch up" with the aqua based foundation that comes with SPF protection from time-to-time, which helps as well.
I love the sun in the morning - it brings energy and life to start my day. Laying strong foundation on skin (and cells) plus sunscreen, is everyday's homework so I can continue embracing the energy it brings.
Stay fit!
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