UVA vs UVB Rays: Differences, Risks, Benefits

UVA vs. UVB: Understanding how the sun’s rays affect your skin

All energy that comes from the sun is known as solar radiation or solar energy. A well-known form of solar energy is ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The two most common types of UVR are ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing premature aging, while UVB rays primarily cause sunburn and are more harmful, leading to skin cancer. UVA and UVB rays affect your skin and health in various ways. Understanding the differences between UVA and UVB rays can help you better protect your skin.

This article will explore how each type of UV radiation affects your skin and overall health.

Which is more harmful, UVA or UVB?

UVA and UVB rays are both forms of UV radiation. However, UVA and UVB rays have different wavelengths, prevalence and potential health impacts. UVA rays are more common and can lead to premature aging, while UVB rays are less common but are more harmful. Here’s what sets them apart:

UVA vs. UVB:

• UVA: UVA rays have longer wavelengths, making up about 90-95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. They can penetrate deeper into the skin, leading to premature aging and indirectly increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
• UVB: UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and account for only about 5-10% of the UV radiation that reaches us. Despite their lower prevalence, UVB rays are more intense and directly harmful to the skin. They are the primary cause of sunburn and play a significant role in developing skin cancer.

Although UVB radiation is less abundant than UVA, its higher carcinogenic (cancer-causing) potential makes it more dangerous. Some studies also acknowledge that UVA rays may increase or worsen some of the harmful effects of UVB rays.

The impact of UV rays on skin health

UV radiation (UVR) can cause various skin issues, such as inflammation, early skin aging and certain types of cancer. While the sun is the natural source of UV radiation (UVR), artificial UV light sources also exist. Tanning beds are a popular source of artificial UVR and have been linked to skin damage.

UVA rays go deep into the skin and can cause long-term damage like collagen breakdown, early skin aging (photoaging) and inflammation. UVA rays can also create oxidative stress, which can contribute to cell and tissue damage and increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Another difference between UVA and UVB is that UVA can have some therapeutic benefits. For instance, psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy (PUVA) is a type of therapy that can be used to treat certain skin conditions, like psoriasis.

UVB rays are mainly absorbed by the top layer of the skin (epidermis). In the short term, UVB exposure can cause skin damage, like sunburn. In the long term, repeated UVB exposure can lead to chronic inflammation, cataracts and DNA mutations that can eventually turn into skin cancer, like melanoma.

Skin cancer and UV radiation

Overexposure to UV radiation — whether from the sun or artificial sources (tanning beds) — is linked to three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Both UVA and UVB can increase the risk of skin cancer, but UVB is more malignant.

BCC risk increases due to sunburns caused by UVB radiation and cumulative sun damage. Built-up UV exposure can also cause small patches of dry or rough skin known as actinic keratoses. Actinic keratoses are often one of the earliest signs of SCC and BCC. CMM, a cancer of the pigment cells, is linked to sporadic but prolonged sun exposure, like sunbathing.

UV radiation can cause cancer in different parts of the body, such as:

• Skin: Parts of the skin that are most exposed to the sun, like the head, neck, shoulders, arms and torso, to name a few.
• Lips: Unprotected exposure to the sun has been linked to lip cancer. Lip cancer is more common in men. Certain studies believe this is because women tend to use lip products with SPF more commonly than men.

Protecting your skin from UV damage

There are several ways to protect your skin from UV damage. The most effective way to practice sun safety is to limit your sun exposure. You can do this by staying indoors or in the shade when the sun is at its brightest and by using UV protection products, such as UV clothing. Additionally, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day (yes, even on cloudy days) can offer year-round protection from UV rays.

Best sun protection tips to prevent UV damage from the sun:

• Choose the right sunscreen: Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or above.
• Stay shady: Look for shady spots or bring a UV protection umbrella to sit beneath when you plan to be out in the sun.
• Wear protective clothing: Keeping your body and face covered and out of the sunlight can help protect against unwanted UV damage. This can include linen shirts, special UV protective clothing or rashguards, hats and UV protective sunglasses.

Best sunscreens for UVA and UVB protection

Sunscreen is another great way to keep your skin safe. However, it’s important to note that not all sunscreens offer protection against all types of UV rays. Many people pick their sunscreen based on its sun protection factor (SPF). However, there are a few other key elements that are just as important to consider.

Many sunscreen products only protect against UVB rays, not UVA rays. While UVB protection is great, protection from UVA rays — which also cause UV damage like skin aging — is just as important. To ensure protection from both types of rays, look for sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum protection. Broad-spectrum protection sunscreens often have UVA-blocking ingredients, like zinc oxide.

Last but certainly not least, turn sunscreen into a daily habit. It can be tempting to skip sunscreen on cloudy or rainy days. However, UV radiation can still be present even when the sun’s rays are hiding behind gray clouds.

How Sesame can help

Keeping your skin safe from UV rays can prevent sun damage, early aging and even skin cancer. If you're seeking advice on reducing sun damage or enhancing your skincare routine for maximum sun safety, book an online video skin consult with a specialist on Sesame today.