Some brief daily exposure to the summer sun helps us make vitamin D - but over exposure can be damaging. The sun produces visible and invisible light. Exposure to the invisible kind, ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B (UVA and UVB), is never safe and is responsible for skin cancers, cataracts, sunburn and premature skin ageing. While UV ray intensity tends to be highest in the summer, UV radiation can damage the body any time of year, even when it's cloudy.

The answer? For adults and children over 6 months old, experts recommend sunglasses, covering up with clothes, and a generous and regular application of sunscreen with a UVA and UVB sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Babies under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight.
 

It's true that darker skin doesn't burn as easily as lighter skin, but UV rays can lead to lasting harm, melanoma skin cancer, eye cataracts and other problems, no matter what your skin tone is. Research shows that cataracts are more common in black people than in white people. Also, skin cancers in people with darker skin are often not detected until later stages, when they're more dangerous.

A sunscreen needs to maintain its SPF after 80 minutes of exposure to water to be considered waterproof, yet even waterproof sunscreens can rub off. To stay safe, apply at least an SPF15 sunscreen 30 minutes before going into the water, and then again after you come out.

Did you know sunscreens have a use by date? Like lots of products, sunscreen can become less effective over time. Check the label on yours - it may be time for a new one.

UV rays can severely damage eyes and the exposure accumulates, leading, for some, to macular degeneration, cataracts and blindness later in life. While a wide-brimmed hat offers good protection from ultraviolet light, it still manages to block only some of the sun's rays. The best protection from damaging UV rays comes from sunglasses that filter out 99% to 100% of ultraviolet light.

Children usually spend a lot more time outdoors in the sun than adults, and that means they're potentially exposed to a lot more UV rays. The risk of retinal damage is greatest for children under 10. That means sunglasses are a vital part of every child's sun protection, no matter what their age. Make sure children's sunglasses meet the British Standard (BSEN 1836:2005) and carry the CE mark.

We suffer temporary pain with sunburn, but most effects of sun damage add up over our lifetime and can lead to life-threatening problems like skin cancer, and to eye problems like macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as premature skin ageing.

Snow is an excellent reflector, sending 80% of the sun's rays back to us, whereas sand and water reflect less than 10%. That's why it pays to be protected all year, even in winter. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothes whether you're playing on the beach or skiing on the slopes.

You can actually get sunburn on your eyes, increasing your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts later in life. The best way to protect your vision is with sunglasses. But be careful when buying them - not all sunglasses filter out the same amount of sun.

Expensive lenses or those with a dark tint don't guarantee more protection than cheaper, lighter lenses. So always read the labels. Look for sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays, say the experts, and look for snug-fitting glasses with large lenses, preferably with a wraparound design. These features all help to block damaging UV rays.

Sunscreen is sold with an SPF rating on the label that indicates the level of protection from UVB rays. This does not include protection from harmful UVA rays that are typically indicated by a separate 'star' rating system. It is best to check the protection you get from both rating when picking sun protection products.