UVB/UVA Light Exposure Explained

Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet (UV) light comes from the sun (and indoor tanning bulbs), but it cannot be seen by the human eye. UV is broken into four groups; UVA, UVB, UVC, and Vacuum UV.  There are two UV light groups that you should be concerned with when making decisions about tanning and sun exposure: UVA and UVB.  UVA and UVB are the light spectrums that normally affect our skin when we are outside in the sunlight. These light spectrums are also emitted from the lamps (bulbs) that you will find in a tanning bed.

UVC and Vacuum UV light are filtered out by the Earth's ozone layer.  It would be hazardous to be exposed to this kind of light - this is one of the main reasons we should all be highly concerned about maintaining the integrity of the ozone layer.

UVA

UVA light waves cause your skin’s melanin pigment to change (darken). UVA causes only mild erythema (sunburn). You would have to expose yourself to extreme levels of UVA light before a burn would occur. However, excessive overexposure to UVA radiation over a long period of time is directly linked to a breakdown of the elastic fibers in your skin. This fiber breakdown causes the skin to wrinkle. UVA is not a significant source of Vitamin D.

UVB

There is good news and bad news about UVB light. The good news: it produces melanin at a rate of 10 to 1,000 of UVA. The increase of melanin production makes your skin tan faster. UVB is also a great source of Vitamin D.

The downside: UVB is the most dangerous light spectrum because it easily causes your skin to burn. 

UVB rays are more harmful that UVA as they cause DNA damage that the body finds harder to repair.  This explains why UVB is more likely to cause skin cancer.

» posted in Getting Started with Tanning

| 273 reads | 0 comments |

0 votes: