Which is worse uva or uvb

UVA damages the collagen and elastin in the skin and also generates free radicals. UVB damages skin cells and causes DNA mutations that can eventually lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer. Cataracts happen when proteins in your eye lens get damaged. The proteins start to collect pigments that cloud your vision.

The best way to protect yourself from UV radiation is to stay out of the sun between 10 a. UV rays can reflect off surfaces like concrete, water, sand and snow, and still cause significant damage to your skin. If you do go out in the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure you choose one that is water resistant and offers broad-spectrum protection.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens reflect and absorb UV radiation. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply after swimming or sweating. My Chart. Donate Today. For Physicians. Cancer Moonshots. Previous Article. Tanning beds also emit UV radiation. Tanning beds cause the same skin damage as the sun. What is UV radiation? What is UVA radiation? Since , UV radiation from any source has been listed by the U.

National Toxicology Program as a known carcinogen cancer-causing substance. Currently, many government agencies caution against tanning. Laboratory research has helped us understand how tanning affects skin cells. This same DNA damage is the cause of tanning. In other words, tanning itself is a sign of DNA damage in the skin. Despite the clear evidence that it's unsafe, the use of tanning beds is on the rise.

Nearly 30 million people in the United States tan in salons every year, most of them women between the ages of 16 and Surveys show that many people understand the risks but continue to tan because they think it makes them look healthy.

Meanwhile, the tanning industry makes misleading claims for the healthfulness of indoor tanning. One claim is that it helps build a base that protects against sunburn. It does, but only slightly — the equivalent of a sunscreen rated SPF 4 or less. Another claim is that tanning is a good way to stimulate the skin's production of vitamin D, a hormone that's essential to bone health and has been linked to a reduced risk for several cancers.

But you can get all the vitamin D you need in a daily vitamin D supplement, which offers all the benefits without any of the risks to your skin.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. These effects show up over time when our skin is not protected. Here's exactly what you need to know about UV radiation, how it affects us, and how to keep your skin safe!

UV wavelengths vary in size and differ in how they affect our skin. UVC is the shortest and not long enough to reach our skin; UVB rays come in contact with the outer layer of the skin; UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin, all the way into the inner layers. UVC rays are actually the strongest but are mostly absorbed by the atmospheric ozone. They usually aren't destructive on our skin. UVB rays reach past the ozone layer to the superficial layers of our skin.

It is the most prevalent cause of the redness, sun burning, and skin cancer. These rays can cause changes in DNA in cells directly and be one of the top culprits to skin cancer. The most important times to stay protected are during the spring and summer months between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. UVA rays permeate into the skin the deepest of the 3 different rays. They reach deep into the skin and are the predominant cause of aging, wrinkling, loose skin, and sunspots.

They are not the number one culprit but can cause changes in DNA, which eventually can lead to skin cancer. UVA rays are present all year round and in all seasons. They are able to bounce off reflective surfaces such as water, including liquid and ice or snow. It is vital to make sure that your skin is protected whether it be summer or winter, day or even night. Use sunscreen for the hottest parts of the day 10 am - 4 pm.