Does UVA cause skin cancer? (2023)

Which is worse for your skin UVA or UVB?

“UVB does not penetrate as deeply as UVA, but it can wreak havoc on the top layers of your skin.” George says. UVB damages skin cells and causes DNA mutations that can eventually lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer.

UVA rays also play a role in skin cancer formation. In addition, the UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and play a greater role in premature skin aging changes including wrinkle formation (photoaging). There are approximately 500 times more UVA rays in sunlight than UVB rays.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, namely UVA (315–400 nm) and UVB (280–315 nm), is a major risk factor for melanoma development. Cumulative UV radiation exposure from sunlight or tanning beds contributes to UV-induced DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the skin.

Here are some important facts about ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and how they affect your skin. Relative to UVA rays, UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and higher energy levels. UVB rays damage the outermost layers of the skin. They directly damage DNA.

There's just no such thing as a “safe” tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. Even one indoor tanning session can increase the risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma by 20%, squamous cell carcinoma by 67%, and basal cell carcinoma by 29%), according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

UVA rays form 95% of the UV radiation which reaches the earth. They have a role to play in the formation of some types of skin cancers. ‌UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays. They have a short wavelength that can only reach the outer layer of your skin called the epidermis.

Broad-spectrum sun protection product helps protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun – and reapplied at least every two hours. Physical, or mineral-based, UV ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide reflects UV rays.

UVA rays have the least energy among UV rays. These rays can cause skin cells to age and can cause some indirect damage to cells' DNA. UVA rays are mainly linked to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but they are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers.

It's likely that a combination of factors, including environmental and genetic factors, causes melanoma. Still, doctors believe exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and from tanning lamps and beds is the leading cause of melanoma.

Melanoma is a type of cancer which usually occurs on skin that has been overexposed to the sun. However, melanomas can also occur on parts of the body that have never been exposed to the sun.

Does UVA or UVB produce vitamin D?

Sunlight contains two forms of radiant energy, ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB provides the energy your skin needs to make vitamin D, but that energy can burn the skin and increase the cell damage that leads to cancer. UVA also contributes to skin damage and premature aging.

Nearly half of UV radiation is received between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest. Even on a cloudy day, you can be sunburned by UV radiation.

UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and are the main culprit behind sunburn. The UVA rays, with their longer wavelength, are responsible for much of the damage we associate with photoaging.

Tanning beds use fluorescent bulbs that emit mostly UVA, with smaller doses of UVB. The UVA radiation is up to three times more intense than the UVA in natural sunlight, and even the UVB intensity may approach that of bright sunlight.

The only safe way to tan is to use a self-tanning product or get a spray tan. Most self-tanning products and sprays are safe and FDA approved. These cosmetics do not penetrate the skin to cause harm like UV rays, and instead, just coat the outer layer.

MYTH #5: 20 minutes in a tanning bed is equivalent to 20 minutes in the sun… no big deal! 20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed may equal up to two hours spent on the beach under the hot mid-day sun without protection.

Several health benefit claims such as improved appearance, enhanced mood, and increased vitamin D levels have been attributed to tanning. Furthermore, the Indoor Tanning Association claims that “catching some rays may lengthen your life” [5]. Exposure to sunlight has been linked to improved energy and elevated mood.

Sunscreen. Put on broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 15 or higher before you go outside. Don't forget to put a thick layer on all exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back.

Try the NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+ for 5 star protection from damaging UVA & UVB rays.

When buying sunscreen, the label should have: a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB. at least 4-star UVA protection.

How long does it take for the sun to damage your skin?

It only takes 15 minutes in the sun to damage your skin. Before you head outside to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine, here's what you need to know to about sun safety and protecting your skin.

Within the solar radiation spectrum [11], UV is an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength between 10 and 400 nm, corresponding to a penetration depth between 20 and 150 m in the human skin [12] .

Only two sunscreen active ingredients approved in the US, avobenzone (butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane) and zinc oxide (ZnO), provide true broad-spectrum protection against UVA wavelengths >360 nm.

Although many of the available ingredients filter UVB rays effectively, fewer cover the UVA spectrum. Only zinc oxide and avobenzone protect against shorter and longer UVA rays.

Under ideal conditions (like in a laboratory), a sunscreen with higher SPF protection and broad-spectrum coverage offers more protection against sunburn, UVA damage and DNA damage than comparable products with lower SPF values.

Sunlight also helps our skin make vitamin D, which is needed for normal bone function and health. Yet sunlight can also cause damage. Sunlight travels to Earth as a mixture of both visible and invisible rays, or waves. Long waves, like radio waves, are harmless to people.

UVA rays can penetrate clouds, and they can also reach below the water's surface. UVB rays can also damage your skin year-round, cloudy or not, especially at high altitudes where there's less atmosphere to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

Time of Day. Morning sunshine between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. is ideal. The hours after 10 a.m. and up until about 4 p.m. are known to have stronger, more direct rays. Being outdoors unprotected during this period increases your risk for sunburn and skin cancers.

Antioxidants, such as retinol, are important for a healthy immune system. Studies have found that higher intake of retinol-rich foods, such as fish, milk, eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, and orange/yellow fruits and vegetables led to a 20 percent reduced risk of developing melanoma.

Can melanoma be caused by stress?

Stress hormones such as norepinephrine have been shown to cause upregulation of cytokines such as Interleukin 6 and 8, which are proangiogenic and support tumour progression. Coupled with genetic and environmental factors, stress appears to play a role in melanoma formation and progression.

Melanoma is more likely to occur in older people, but it is also found in younger people. In fact, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people younger than 30 (especially younger women). Melanoma that runs in families may occur at a younger age.

“You could have melanoma for a long time before you realize it, because some types are not so obvious. Some aggressive forms, like nodular melanoma, grow fast, are visible and can hurt or bleed.” While certain groups may be at a higher risk for melanoma, anyone can get the disease.

Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin, but they are more likely to start on the trunk (chest and back) in men and on the legs in women. The neck and face are other common sites.

Can a common mole turn into melanoma? Yes, but a common mole rarely turns into melanoma, which is the most serious type of skin cancer. Although common moles are not cancerous, people who have more than 50 common moles have an increased chance of developing melanoma (1).

Mayo Clinic recommends that adults get at least the RDA of 600 IU. However, 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D from a supplement is generally safe, should help people achieve an adequate blood level of vitamin D, and may have additional health benefits.

How long can you sunbathe? Some dermatologists believe that, as long as you don't have complications with usual sun exposure, you can sunbathe without sunscreen up to 20 minutes each day . To reduce the risk of sunburn, it may be best to stick to 5 to 10 minutes.

Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. To maintain healthy blood levels, aim to get 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week. People with darker skin may need a little more than this. Your exposure time should depend on how sensitive your skin is to sunlight.

UVA damages your skin, resulting in a tan. It is the primary radiation used in tanning beds. It causes almost all forms of skin aging, including wrinkles. UVA damages the collagen and elastin in the skin and also generates free radicals.

Seek shade: Limit your direct exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. Cover up: When you are out, wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect as much skin as possible. Protect your eyes with wrap-around sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV light.

Do all clothes have UV protection?

Yes, your clothing shields you from the sun, but not all fabrics and colors provide equal protection. Luckily, you have plenty of options.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, namely UVA (315–400 nm) and UVB (280–315 nm), is a major risk factor for melanoma development. Cumulative UV radiation exposure from sunlight or tanning beds contributes to UV-induced DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the skin.

The dermis contains collagen and elastin that maintain the skin's structure. Due to these elements skin looks smooth and youthful. Over time, ultraviolet radiation from the sun (UVR) destroys collagen and elastin.

Generally, sunscreen isn't necessary during tanning bed use. The exposure to UV rays is limited by time and the regulated levels of UVA and UVB light. Further, the SPF could hinder your tanning goals, requiring more sessions in the bed.

Wearing sunscreen in a tanning bed prevents you from getting the bronze tan you are after. It also fails to protect your skin as it is only effective against natural UV rays. Tanning beds are not recommended because research repeatedly shows they are not safe.

UVB rays, which affect skin's top layer, cause skin cancer and most sunburns. Although UVA and UVB rays pose the greatest risk for sun damage, people who work with welding torches or mercury lamps may be exposed to UVC rays — the most dangerous type of UV radiation.

UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and are the main culprit behind sunburn. The UVA rays, with their longer wavelength, are responsible for much of the damage we associate with photoaging.

Tanning beds use fluorescent bulbs that emit mostly UVA, with smaller doses of UVB. The UVA radiation is up to three times more intense than the UVA in natural sunlight, and even the UVB intensity may approach that of bright sunlight.

How Tanning Happens. The sun's rays contain two types of ultraviolet radiation that reach your skin: UVA and UVB. UVB radiation burns the upper layers of skin (the epidermis), causing sunburns. UVA radiation is what makes people tan.

Do sunscreens block UVA?

Broad-spectrum sun protection product helps protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun – and reapplied at least every two hours. Physical, or mineral-based, UV ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide reflects UV rays.

Clinical signs of aging are essentially influenced by extrinsic factors, especially sun exposure. Indeed UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible facial aging signs.

The dermis contains collagen and elastin that maintain the skin's structure. Due to these elements skin looks smooth and youthful. Over time, ultraviolet radiation from the sun (UVR) destroys collagen and elastin.

The only safe way to tan is to use a self-tanning product or get a spray tan. Most self-tanning products and sprays are safe and FDA approved. These cosmetics do not penetrate the skin to cause harm like UV rays, and instead, just coat the outer layer.

Science tells us that there's no such thing as a safe tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%.

Generally, sunscreen isn't necessary during tanning bed use. The exposure to UV rays is limited by time and the regulated levels of UVA and UVB light. Further, the SPF could hinder your tanning goals, requiring more sessions in the bed.

Shade. You can reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer by staying in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter. Your best bet to protect your skin is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you're outside—even when you're in the shade.

How long can you sunbathe? Some dermatologists believe that, as long as you don't have complications with usual sun exposure, you can sunbathe without sunscreen up to 20 minutes each day . To reduce the risk of sunburn, it may be best to stick to 5 to 10 minutes.

UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays. They can damage the DNA in skin cells directly, and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers.

UVA rays can penetrate clouds, and they can also reach below the water's surface. UVB rays can also damage your skin year-round, cloudy or not, especially at high altitudes where there's less atmosphere to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

Do windows block UV?

Generally, ordinary glass such as the glass windows in your home can filter out UVB rays but not UVA sun rays. This means that sitting by the window on a sunny day will not increase your vitamin D intake – you'll have to be outside to soak up the sun rays.