UV Radiation Explained - UVA, UVB, UVC

With all of the information about sunscreens, SPF, and aging skin, there is still a huge amount of misinformation surrounding the damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Before you can select an effective countermeasures to these sometimes harmful waves, you should know something about the different UV spectrums.

UV light can be classified into three specific wavebands - UVA, UVB, and UVC. They differ in their effect on the body and how deep they penetrate into the skin.

UVA Penetrates Deep

UVA is the longest of the UV wavelengths and accounts for up to 95% of the solar UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. It can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and plays a major part in the skin's aging process and wrinkling.

Recent studies by the Skin Cancer Foundation strongly suggest that it may also initiate and accelerate the development of skin cancers. UVA rays can be 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB rays and are present during all daylight hours, year-round.

Furthermore, UVA radiation can penetrate glass and clouds. Thus, we are exposed to large doses of UVA throughout our lifetime.

UVB Brings the Burn

This middle-range of UV is responsible for burning, tanning, the acceleration of skin aging, and also plays a key role in the development of skin cancer. The intensity of UVB varies by season, location and time of day. The most significant amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10 AM and 4 PM between April and October. UVB rays do not penetrate glass.

UVC The Silent Partner

The shortest and highest energy UV, UVC is filtered by the ozone, so its wavelengths do not reach the earth's surface. As such, UVC does not contribute to skin damage in humans.

While clearly the differences between UVB and UVA need to be explored further, it's proven that exposure to the combination of UVB and UVA is a powerful attack on the skin. It can create irreversible damage that ranges from sunburn to premature aging to skin cancer. Protection from these rays is the only way to avoid these problems.

Review our other article: Proper Sun Protection

Ref: Much of this information is referenced from an original article posted by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

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