{"id":2356,"date":"2019-07-02T18:19:48","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T18:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scfredesignpro.wpengine.com\/?page_id=2356"},"modified":"2025-04-10T12:43:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T12:43:06","slug":"uv-radiation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/uv-radiation\/","title":{"rendered":"UV Radiation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">UV Radiation &amp;\u00a0<span style=\"color: rgba(50,63,74,0.65);\">Your Skin<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;The Facts. The Risks. How They Affect You.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:center&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;9\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;large&#8221;]When it comes to <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/\">skin cancer<\/a>, a major<b> risk factor<\/b> is prolonged exposure to <b>ultraviolet (UV) radiation.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Understanding UV radiation and how it damages your skin is an important first step in\u00a0 safeguarding yourself against skin cancer.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that <em>you can<\/em> <i>greatly reduce <\/i>the danger posed by UV radiation. You can enjoy outdoor activities and limit your skin cancer risk by taking simple, smart <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/\">protective measures<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;page-nav&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#what\">What is UV radiation?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#stake\">What is at stake?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#know\">What you need to know<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#uvb\">UVB facts and risks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#uva\">UVA facts and risks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#protect\">Protect yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/the-uv-index-know-your-risk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is the UV index?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;what&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What is UV radiation?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]UV radiation is part of the natural energy produced by the sun. On the electromagnetic spectrum, UV light has shorter wavelengths than visible light, so your eyes can\u2019t see UV, but your skin can feel it. Tanning beds also emit UV radiation.<\/p>\n<p>Two types of UV light are proven to contribute to the risk for skin cancer:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ultraviolet A<\/strong>\u00a0(UVA) has a longer wavelength. It is mainly associated with tanning and skin\u00a0<strong>aging <\/strong>but can also lead to sunburn.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ultraviolet B<\/strong> (UVB) has a shorter wavelength. It is mainly associated with sunburn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While UVA and UVB rays differ in how they affect the skin, they both do harm. Unprotected exposure to UVA and UVB damages the DNA in skin cells, producing genetic defects, or mutations, that can lead to <strong>skin cancer<\/strong> and premature aging. UV rays can also cause <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/eye-protection\/\">eye damage, including cataracts and eyelid cancers<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;stake&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What is at stake?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]UV radiation is a proven human carcinogen, causing <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/basal-cell-carcinoma\/\">basal cell carcinoma (BCC)<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/squamous-cell-carcinoma\/\">squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).<\/a>\u00a0 These types of cancers often appear on sun-exposed areas of skin. Fortunately, when discovered and treated early, these common skin cancers are usually curable.<\/p>\n<p>UV exposure that leads to <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/sunburn\/\">sunburn<\/a> has proven to play a strong role in developing <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/\">melanoma<\/a>, a dangerous type of skin cancer. Research shows that the UV rays that damage skin can also alter a gene that suppresses tumors, raising the risk of sun-damaged skin cells developing into skin cancer.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;know&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What you need to know&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A majority of nonmelanoma skin cancers<\/strong> (NMSC) and a large percentage of melanomas are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UV exposure is a powerful attack<\/strong> on the skin, creating damage that can range from premature wrinkles to dangerous skin cancer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Damage from UV exposure is cumulative<\/strong> and increases your skin cancer risk over time. While your body can repair some of the DNA damage in skin cells, it can\u2019t repair all of it. The unrepaired damage builds up over time and triggers mutations that cause skin cells to multiply rapidly. That can lead to malignant tumors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The degree of damage<\/strong> depends on the intensity of UV rays and the length of time your skin has been exposed without protection. Location is also a factor. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/the-uv-index-know-your-risk\/\">The UV index<\/a> measures the intensity of UV radiation at a specific location. If you live where the sun is strong year-round, your exposure level and risk increases.<\/li>\n<li><strong>You can easily reduce<\/strong> your likelihood of developing skin cancer by <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/\">protecting yourself<\/a> against UV radiation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;uvb&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;UVB facts and risks&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>UVB<\/strong> penetrates and damages the outermost layers of your skin. Overexposure causes suntan, <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/sunburn\/\">sunburn<\/a> and, in severe cases, blistering.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVB<\/strong> is connected to the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) on labels of <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/sunscreen\/\">sunscreen<\/a> products. The SPF number tells you how long the sun\u2019s radiation (including some of the UVA) would take to redden your skin when using that product compared to the time without sunscreen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVB<\/strong> intensity fluctuates. While the sun\u2019s rays are strongest and pose the highest risk late-morning to mid-afternoon from spring to fall in temperate climates and even greater timespans in tropical climates, UVB rays can damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes or on reflective surfaces like snow or ice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVB<\/strong> rays can be filtered and do not penetrate glass.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;uva&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;UVA facts and risks&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>UVA<\/strong> rays cause <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/tanning\/\">tanning<\/a>, and the shorter wavelengths of UVA also cause sunburn. There is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan. UVA radiation is proven to contribute to the development of skin cancer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVA<\/strong> is connected to the \u201cbroad-spectrum protection\u201d you see on the labels of sunscreen products. Early sunscreens only protected your skin from UVB rays, but once it was understood how dangerous UVA rays were, sunscreen manufacturers began adding ingredients to protect you from both UVB and UVA across this broader spectrum.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVA<\/strong> rays, while slightly less intense than UVB, penetrate your skin more deeply. Exposure causes genetic damage to cells on the innermost part of your top layer of skin, where most skin cancers occur. The skin tries to prevent further damage by darkening, resulting in a tan. Over time, UVA also leads to premature aging and skin cancer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVA<\/strong> radiation is the main type of light used in most tanning beds. Once thought to be safe, we now know it is just the opposite.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVA is everywhere<\/strong>. UVA accounts for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the earth. These rays maintain the same level of strength during daylight hours throughout the year. This means that during a lifetime, we are all exposed to a high level of UVA rays.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UVA can penetrate<\/strong> windows and cloud cover.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;protect&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Protect yourself!&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Despite the risk factors, you can safely, happily enjoy the great outdoors by <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/\">protecting your skin<\/a> against UV exposure with <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/sunscreen\/\">broad-spectrum sunscreen<\/a> and sun-safe <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/clothing\/\">clothing<\/a>, hats and <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/eye-protection\/\">eyewear<\/a>. You can also consider<a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-danger-planes-trains-automobiles\/\"> UV window film<\/a> for your home and car.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make it a way of life. <\/strong>Protect yourself every day, even when it\u2019s cloudy. Avoid indoor tanning entirely. Get more details here: <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/sun-protection\/\">Your Daily Sun Protection Guide<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<strong><em>Reviewed by:<br \/>\n<\/em><\/strong><em>Anna Chien, MD<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Heidi Jacobe, MD<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1562175271256{margin-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #323f4a !important;}&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Sunburn&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Frisk-factors%2Fsunburn%2F|title:Sunburn||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Skin Type&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Frisk-factors%2Fskin-type%2F|title:Skin%20Type||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Atypical Moles&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Frisk-factors%2Fatypical-moles%2F|title:Atypical%20Moles||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Tanning&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Frisk-factors%2Ftanning%2F|title:Tanning||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Photosensitivity&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Frisk-factors%2Fphotosensitivity%2F|title:Photosensitivity||&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; el_class=&#8221;news&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sunskinnews\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Sun &amp; Skin News<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=&#8221;post&#8221; max_items=&#8221;3&#8243; item=&#8221;326&#8243; initial_loading_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; grid_id=&#8221;vc_gid:1658434816193-c9ad177d06c6f1fe982fd3c754cde6de-10&#8243; taxonomies=&#8221;2840, 28&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] UV Radiation &amp;\u00a0Your Skin [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;The Facts. The Risks. How They Affect You.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:center&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;9\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;large&#8221;]When [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":816,"parent":78,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2356","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3 (Yoast SEO v25.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>UV Radiation - The Skin Cancer Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understand the basics about UV radiation and how it damages your skin, learn about the UV index and how to protect against skin cancer.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/uv-radiation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UV Radiation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understand the basics about UV radiation and how it damages your skin, learn about the UV index and how to protect against skin cancer.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/uv-radiation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Skin Cancer Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/skincancerfoundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-10T12:43:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Beyond-the-sun.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"376\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@skincancerorg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/uv-radiation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/uv-radiation\/\",\"name\":\"UV Radiation - 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