Over the weekend the whole of Finland was revelling in hot, sunny weather and temperatures that hit new record levels for the year.
The forecast is for more of the same, plenty of bright, clear skies with the thermometer edging over the 30C mark.
Both the warmth and the sunshine are healthy for body and mind, and the relative rare treat of sunbathing is popular.
But, a heavy dose of UV radiation from being out in the sun is simply dangerous.
There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of skin cancers in Finland in recent years. Around 1,700 people in Finland annually are diagnosed with the most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma, and it accounts for around 200 deaths every year.
In addition, approximately 10,000 cases of other, usually non-fatal types of skin cancer are reported annually.
Protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation is especially important at this time of year. But, how dangerous is a sunburn, actually, and does a base tan provide good protection?
Yle asked Anne Höytö, an inspector at Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), how accurate some commonly held beliefs about sunbathing really are.
1. A base tan acquired during a winter or spring holiday abroad provides protection from sunburn during the Finnish summer. Wrong.
The coronavirus epidemic kept most people mainly indoors all spring. This means that right now especially, people with very fair complexions are particularly sensitive to the effects of ultraviolet radiation.
If you've been outdoors a lot lately, though, you are likely to have a base tan. This provides some protection against UV radiation, but no more than that provided by a factor 4 sunscreen.
Don't completely rely on your tan for protection at the height of summer. Use sunscreen if you are planning to be out in direct sunlight.
2. People who tan easily don't need sunscreen. Wrong.
Skin types can be roughly classed in six categories from the very fair, often associated with red hair, to very dark.
Around a third of all Finns have type one or two skin tone, that is very fair to fair, that easily burns. Approximately half have type three skin that tans relatively well and, with care, rarely burns.
Even if you tan easily, it is worthwhile using a sunscreen, as UV radiation ages the skin. A lifetime of exposure to the sun also increases the chance of developing skin cancer. So, in brief, although you may not usually get a sunburn, protecting your skin is still important.
3. Skin adapts to the sun's ultraviolet radiation as you age. Yes, but...
The ability of the skin to withstand UV radiation does vary with age. The skin of small children is very sensitive, but develop some resistance as they grow older.
In adults, both varying levels of hormones and some medications can make the skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight. And then, the skin of the elderly grows more sensitive as the years add up.
4. "What's red today is tan tomorrow." Wrong.
A sunburn does not tan the skin, rather damages and ages it. Sunburns also increase the risk of skin cancer, especially in children and teens.
Many younger people are either unaware of the risks of overexposure to the sun, or think that at their age it has a lesser effect.
Finland's Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, along with the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the University of Eastern Finland has launched an information campaign aimed at young people about health impact of the sun's UV rays.
5. A high UV index number is just a sign of great weather. Wrong.
The level of ultraviolet radiation varies by season and time of day. It is strongest during the summer and during the middle of the day. There are also regional variations, with UV levels typically higher in the south of the country than elsewhere.
The UV index shows how high the level of ultraviolet radiation is and an indicator of the need of skin protection. When the index stands at three or more, one needs protection from the sun - in the form of sunblock, clothing or shade, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
In southern Europe, the summer UV index may exceed 10 - a level of radiation that will burn a fair-skinned person within minutes. A high UV index reading is by no means a signal to hit the beach for hours at a time, but a warning that radiation damage to the skin is a real danger.
