Spending time outside without sun protection is often believed to be safe if it takes place early or late at day, when the sun is less strong. A new study published in Photochemistry and Photobiology is now challenging these assumptions.
'You can get the same dose of UV radiation in a short time in the middle of the day or a longer time earlier or later in the day,' said Professor Rachel Neale from QIMR Berghofer in Queensland, Australia, who co-led the work. 'Our research has shown it is the total dose that is important - it doesn't matter how long it takes to get it.'
While sunlight is essential for overall health, these findings suggest that protective measures may still be advisable when the UV index is low.
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