UVA and UVB rays
14 Sep 2009 05:00 AM |
Posted by Editor
Q) “What’s the difference between UVA and UVB rays?” – Liz, NSW
A) “Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays are the deepest penetrating UV rays that are associated with premature ageing and wrinkles. UVA reaches the earth surface at all hours of daylight – even on the most cloudy of days.
The wavelengths of UVA are long enough to allow some degree of curvature around the surface, which basically means that UVA from the sun at a horizon, dawn or dusk, can reach the skin.
The effects of UVA damage are cumulative and may contribute to DNA damage, as well as skin cancer.
Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are the shorter wavelength rays that are responsible for the visible burn to the skin. UVB light reaches the surface at variable degrees throughout the day. Since the shorter wavelength does not allow bending like UVA, UVB is strongest when the sun is directly overhead. Therefore, UVB is typically most intense from 10am – 3pm (sometimes 9am – 4pm depending on Daylight Savings).”
– Curtis Cole, Ph.D. photobiologist and Johnson & Johnson Senior Director of Skincare Technology
Member Comments
(49)
Posted by:
jatz
(Member since 2008, Australia)
Thank you for that interesting article. I never knew the difference and when you read it, it does then make me think more of everytime I am out in the sun with no protection. Just going out to the clothesline sometimes I am not protected so will definitely wear some lotion now for just around at home.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 6:31am)
Posted by:
melmeko
(Member since 2007, Australia)
I have only discovered this recently while researching sunscreens, you really need a good sunscreen that covers both, Invisible Zinc does it for me :)
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 7:43am)
Posted by:
Hely
(Australia)
Thanks. I always purchase sun protection that protects against UVA and UVB. I want my skin to be in as good a condition for as long as possible. Great article BH. I'm sure you've helped clear up the confusion for quite a few beauties.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 9:46am)
Posted by:
Yvette Rose
(Member since 2008, Australia)
thats is a great article, good clarification, i love my invisible zinc too, does the job
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 10:01am)
Posted by:
Blissful Beauty
(Member since 2007, Australia)
Thanks for this information, BH. Like Hely, I always purchase and wear full spectrum sun protection that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. I can't stand sun burn, let alone longer term sun damage!
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 10:01am)
Posted by:
Blissful Beauty
(Member since 2007, Australia)
Thanks Curtis Cole from J&J for your thorough explanation about the difference between UVA and UVB rays.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 10:04am)
Posted by:
Iam
(Member since 2008, Australia)
Thanks for the article BH~
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 10:06am)
Posted by:
ray_jay
(Member since 2008, Australia)
great question liz...very informative and very important for us to understand ! loving it!!!!
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 11:12am)
Posted by:
sugarx
(Member since 2008, Australia)
this is so good! thank you thank you!! yay!!
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 11:20am)
Posted by:
dancr
(Member since 2008, Australia)
This is a sensational article! I went to an event recently where the speaker told us much the same thing UVA = Ageing, UVB = Burns.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 11:28am)
Posted by:
Beautybabe140194
(Australia)
Sounds scary but lucky i'm aware of the importance of always wearing sunscreen and a hat. Unfortunately I burn so easily but that just means i have to be extra careful.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 12:11pm)
Posted by:
Beautybabe140194
(Australia)
Great article BH
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 12:11pm)
Posted by:
Belleful
(Australia)
Good to clear that up, never knew, although l remember getting burnt from UVB enough as a kid. Ouch.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 12:58pm)
Posted by:
lgauci
(Member since 2008, Australia)
Thank you I never knew the diference either between the two I always wear my sunscreen and a hat but when it gets too windy a hat sometimes just wont stay on my head!
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 1:14pm)
Posted by:
jewl
(Australia)
Oof i learnt something new again from you BH! THANKS
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 2:04pm)
Posted by:
GoddessMagick
(Member since 2007, Australia)
Great question & article, this is something i've been learning more about lately too so reading it here has been a great help!
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 3:05pm)
Posted by:
Jessie3
(Australia)
great article.. i had no clue about either
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 3:47pm)
Posted by:
Susanjane
(Australia)
Thjanks for the easy to understand explanation. It definitely reinforces the idea that you should wear sunscreen even when the sun isn't beating down.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 5:22pm)
Posted by:
splash21
(Australia)
great question and a really helpful article. thanks for clearing things up BH!
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 6:30pm)
Posted by:
Ruthiv44
(Australia)
I always thought I was safe with not bothering about sunscreen if I was going out earlier than 10 or later than 3... I guess that's not the case!
Thanks for the enlightening article (no pun intended!)
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 6:33pm)
Posted by:
katshepsutt
(Australia)
A most timely article - thanks BH. Great to have scientific info translated into someting I can understand (almost!)...
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 7:04pm)
Posted by:
Candyfairy
(Australia)
Never knew the difference before, thankyou BH! I feel much more informed. You learn something new everyday! Its good to have a little scare every now and then and its good to read about this stuff to scare you into remembering to always always wear 30+ SPF! Cheers! xo
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 8:10pm)
Posted by:
Dazzlepants
(Australia)
Oh wow, I never knew the difference till now :) thanks BH!
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 8:37pm)
Posted by:
Skye88
(Australia)
greattttttttttt artical bh I learnt soo much from this thankyou
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 8:58pm)
Posted by:
Ling
(Australia)
I've been wondering this myself, it's good to finally know the difference between UVA and UVB rays.
Posted on:
September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 10:25pm)
Comment on this article
Posted by: jatz (Member since 2008, Australia)
Thank you for that interesting article. I never knew the difference and when you read it, it does then make me think more of everytime I am out in the sun with no protection. Just going out to the clothesline sometimes I am not protected so will definitely wear some lotion now for just around at home.
Posted on: September 14, 2009 (Sep 14, 2009 6:31am)