We all know that we need to protect our skin from the sun's harmful UV radiation, but what's the difference between UVA and UVB? Most people think they are essentially the same, but there are some important differences. UVA radiation can penetrate deep into the skin layers, while UVB radiation is more damaging to the surface of the skin. Which one is more dangerous? Well the quick answer is - it depends! Understanding the differences between UVA and UVB radiation is key to protecting your skin from harm.

Both UVA and UVB cause skin cancer

While UVA radiation has been traditionally seen as the less harmful type of UV radiation, new studies have shown that it can be just as dangerous as UVB. In fact, both types of UV radiation can be hazardous to your health and cause skin cancer. It’s important to be aware of the dangers posed by both UVA and UVB rays and take steps to protect yourself from them.

UVA radiation penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB radiation

This is because of its higher energy frequency and shorter wavelength, which means it can penetrate into deeper layers of the skin. The most dangerous part about this type of ultraviolet light is that you may not feel any pain or discomfort until long after your exposure to it has taken place. It’s important to remember how much damage these rays can do when they are allowed to reach your body’s tissues without protection from sunscreen or clothing with SPF ratings. 

 

UVB radiation has a longer wavelength and is associated with skin burning

UVB radiation is associated with skin burning, which is why it’s important to protect your skin from the sun. While UVA radiation has a longer wavelength and penetrates deeper into the skin, UVB radiation has a shorter wavelength and is more intense. 

UVA has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin aging

UVA has the shortest wavelength and penetrates more deeply into the skin than other types of light. This type of ultraviolet light can cause changes in DNA that lead to aging, wrinkles, cancerous tumors, cataracts and immune suppression. For this reason it's important to wear sunscreen or use sun protection when outdoors for long periods of time during daylight hours even if you are not exposed to sunlight directly because UVA radiation will penetrate through windows and reflect off surfaces like snow or sand.

Airplane Windshields do not fully block UVA

Now how are UVA and UVB impacted while traveling on an airplane? Despite the fact that airplane windshields are treated to protect against UVB radiation, they do not offer complete protection against UVA. This information is important for travelers to be aware of, as it can have an impact on their skin health while flying. It can be insidious when passengers don’t see the sunburning effects from UVB even while they’re exposed to UVA. It is always a good idea to take precautions against sun exposure by wearing sunscreen and sunglasses, even when flying.

So, what’s the bottom line? 

UVA radiation is more prevalent during all times of the year and can penetrate clouds and glass. It’s also been linked to skin cancer, wrinkles, and age spots. UVB radiation is more intense during the summer months and is the primary cause of sunburn. It’s also been linked to skin cancer. Now that you know the important differences between UVA and UVB radiation, make sure you take steps to protect yourself from both types!