UV index and sun safety

How to find your daily UV Index

• The UV Index forecast is available in your weather report on Canadian Weather, when the Index is 1 or higher.
• Throughout the year, UV Index forecast for 47 communities across Canada is also available in our daily UV Index Forecast bulletin.
• More about the UV forecast and the UV index

Fitzpatrick skin type classification system

Skin types are often described using the Fitzpatrick skin type classification system. This system helps to identify an individual’s skin sensitivity to UV radiation based on their natural skin colour.

 However, photosensitivity is not only decided by skin pigmentation. Sensitivity also depends on other factors such as:

• genetic disposition for photosensitivity independent of skin colour
• history of skin cancer
• frequency of UV exposure, and
• use of agents (e.g. drugs, cosmetics etc.) that may increase one’s photosensitivity.

Six different Fitzpatrick skin types

There are six different categories of skin types according to the Fitzpatrick scale to describe skin photosensitivity. Type I is the most sensitive and type VI is the least sensitive. Individuals with type I skin are more susceptible to sun damage and are more likely to burn in a shorter amount of time when the UV Index is 3 or higher.

Regardless of skin type, everyone needs to protect themselves from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Skin type I

• Always burns, never tans, extremely sensitive skin.
• This skin type is often found in people with red hair, fair to pale skin, freckles and blue eyes.

Skin type II

• Usually burns, tans minimally.
• This skin type is often found in people with fair hair, fair skin, and blue or hazel eyes.

Skin type III

• May burn, tans well.
• This skin type is represented by the average Caucasian with fair skin.

Skin type IV

• Rarely burns, tans well, and exhibits immediate pigment darkening.
• This skin type is often found in people with dark brown hair, naturally tinted or light brown pigmented skin, and dark coloured eyes.

Skin type V

• Very rarely burns, tans easily and well, and exhibits immediate pigment darkening.
• This skin type is often found in people with dark brown hair, brown to dark pigmented skin, and dark coloured eyes.

Skin type VI

• Very rarely burns, tans easily and well, and exhibits immediate pigment darkening.
• This skin type is often found in people with very dark hair, very dark skin, and dark coloured eyes.

Sun safety tips

Enjoy the sun safely: Protect your skin, protect your eyes.

Protect your skin

When the UV Index is 3 or higher, protect your skin as much as possible. In general, the UV Index in Canada can be 3 or higher from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between April and September, even when it’s cloudy.

• Seek shade or bring your own (e.g., an umbrella).
• Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible and a wide-brimmed hat, as appropriate to the activity and weather.
• Use sunscreen labelled "broad spectrum" and "water resistant" with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on skin not covered by clothing. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply often.
• Avoid getting a sunburn and avoid intentional tanning.
• Health Canada does not recommend the use of tanning equipment (especially for people under the age of 18).

 Protect your eyes

• Wear sunglasses or eyeglasses with UV protective lenses.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat for added eye protection.

Sun safety for children and travelers

• Babies and small children have sensitive skin and burn easily. Be sure to protect them from the sun.
• Be careful on winter holidays in the sun. You can burn very quickly.
• More on sun protection

Related links

• About the UV index
• How to use the UV index
• How to find your UV index
• When you are most at risk from UV
• Sun safety throughout the seasons
• UV and the ozone layer
• UV, heat and wind chill products
• UV index health partners