UV rays and location, location, location…

Question:  Is it true that the sun’s UV rays are stronger in the South?


That big line on the globe is the equator – Do you live near it on either side?

Answer: Yes, this is true. The closer your location is  to the equator (the line that is equally distant from the South Pole and the North Pole which also separates the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere on a map or globe), the more potent the sun’s rays. This is because they hit the earth more directly for a greater part of the year which accounts for the higher skin cancer rates in  “sun belt” locations. People who live or vacation in the Southern United States  or in Central and parts of South America and Africa should be especially aware and diligant of the need for sunscreen, hats and protective clothing and eye glasses whenever outside.

You may see lots of tanner people in these locations and that’s because they are exposed so much more to the UV rays from the sun. Remember, there is no such thing as a healthy tan (no matter what society would lead us to believe) because tanning is the skin’s response to the sun’s damaging rays.

If you’re unsure how close you are to the equator, check this global equator map.