SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It tells you how much longer a sunscreen allows you to stay out in the sun without getting sunburn. For example if you can normally stay in the sun for 10 minutes before you start to burn, an SPF 30 (very high protection) sunscreen will extend that time to 30 x 10 minutes, or 300 minutes.

It depends upon your skin type, the length of time you'll be out in the sun, what time of day you are out in, and what the UV Index is for the day.

UV stands for Ultra Violet and refers to short wavelength invisible radiation from the sun. UV is often categorised as UV-A, UV-B or UV-C dependent on the wavelength.

UV-A radiation stays fairly constant in intensity throughout the year and penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV-B rays. UV-A rays are major contributors to sunburn, wrinkling, and premature aging.

UV-B rays are more intense at locations closer to the equator, at higher altitudes, and during the summer months. They are stronger than UV-A rays and are the most common cause of sunburn as well as contributing to premature aging, and wrinkling of the skin. They also can contribute to skin cancer.

UV-C rays are the most dangerous and strongest of the UV band. However, they normally do not reach the Earth's surface because they are filtered out by the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

No, just because you wear an SPF 15 sunscreen (high protection) and then put an SPF 30 (very high protection) on top, it doesn't give you the same protection as an SPF 45. You should make sure you select the correct SPF sunscreen for you.

For people with fair skin, SPF 15, and even SPF 30 will not give enough protection from the sun on a very sunny day, especially if they are out in the sun for a long period of time. Sunscreens with an SPF of higher than 30 offer limited extra protection and use chemicals that are harsh to the skin. For the best sun safety, use our SPF 30 sunscreen with our sun monitor wristband.

It's down to genetics. People with darker skins have more melanin which offers some protection against the sun. People with fairer skin have less melanin and therefore have less natural protection from the sun. However, even people with very dark skin should wear a sunscreen with the appropriate SPF.

Yes, but most people with fair skin tend to burn which increases their risk of skin cancer. To tan safely, why not try a sunless self-tanning lotion. Remember though, you'll still need to wear sun protection when you go outside.

Some medication can make you more photo-sensitive (increased sensitivity to the sun). Such medications include heart and blood pressure medicines, some antibiotics, antihistamines and antidepressants. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

It may take up to 24 hours for the redness of sunburn to show. If your skin starts to turn red when you're outside get out of the sun immediately as you may already be burned. For best results wear the correct SPF sunscreen in conjunction with a SolarSafe wristband (covered in the same sunscreen) so that you can monitor your exposure to the sun and go into the shade before it's too late.

Any baby under 24 months old should be kept out of direct sun. If their clothing is not adequately protecting their skin, The American Academy of Pediatrics says that it is OK to use sunscreen on small areas of skin such as a baby's face and back of the hands. Consult your doctor for more information.

SolarSafe wristbands are suitable for all ages. However, we recommend that children under the age of 2 years old are kept out of direct sunlight.

Yes, the band is waterproof and saltwater proof. The ID label of the band is also waterproof.

Yes, you can go in and out of the sunlight as often as you like and this will not affect the performance of the band. The band has a memory which will automatically resume from the point of departure once exposed to the sun. Always read the band's colour indications when in direct sun, however, as a fading of the colour occurs when out of direct sunlight.

Always refer to the directions on the sunscreen label. This will outline how much sunscreen is recommended as each sunscreen is different.

Yes, sunscreen can be re-applied as frequently as you like and it is always a good idea to re-apply after swimming or strenuous activity. Always remember to re-apply to the band as well. It is important however to observe the final colour change warning which indicates when to seek shade, at this stage, re-applying of sunscreen will not allow you any more time in the sun.

Yes, this band is suitable for all skin types. It is calibrated for fair skinned and children's skin. Because this skin type has the lowest burn threshold, the band will consequently cover all burn thresholds.

The following factors all have an effect on your UV exposure:

• Location. UV radiation is strongest at the earth's equator and weakest at the poles.
• Time of day. In most climates, the sun is at its most intense between the hours of 11am and 3pm.
• Season of year. In the summer, the sun not only more intense, but your skin's exposure usually increases due to lighter clothing.
• Altitude. The higher up you go, the thinner and cleaner the air gets and therefore more UV rays reach your skin. As it is often cooler at higher altitudes, we often under-estimate our UV exposure.
• Total time in the sun. All of the time spent in the sun, including many small exposures each day, all add up to our total exposure.
• Your environment. Your surroundings will reflect or absorb different amounts of UV radiation depedent on your environment. Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV, increasing your exposure further. Sand and concrete typically reflect 10-15%.
• Cloud cover. Although clouds will filter out some of the UV radiation, it is important to realise that there is still a lot that gets through. On a cloudy day, we may feel cooler, and therefore underestimate the amount of damaging UV radiation we are receiving.

To limit your exposure to UV radiation, you should:

• Limit exposure to the sun when it is most intense - between 11am and 3pm.
• Use natural shade whenever possible.
• Use the best quality sunscreen products with the proper SPF level. Make sure your sunscreen protects you from both UV-A and UV-B rays.
• Monitor your UV exposure with SolarSafe's UV monitor wristband.
• Wear a hat and protective clothing during peak sun times to lessen exposure.
• Remember to give children extra protection since their skin is usually more sensitive than their parents'.
• Apply your sunscreen evenly and totally, remembering to reapply after swimming or perspiring.
• Wear good quality UV screening sunglasses. Sunglasses are not just to make you more comfortable but will help prevent cataracts and other eye problems which can be caused by UV exposure.

The UV index is available from the MET Office web site. This will allow you to get the UV index for that day courtesy of the MET office. Click to view the MET Office's UV Index