What are the major differences between UVA and UVB rays?
Unlike UVB rays, UVA radiation levels have small fluctuations during the day, and are present from sunrise to sunset every day, all year round, even in the winter and on cloudy days, and over time can lead to skin cancer. · UVA rays persist all year round, even in the winter– unlike UVB rays. · UVA rays exist from sunrise to sunset, even on cloudy days – unlike UVB rays. · UVA rays pass through windows and glass – unlike UVB rays. · UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis than UVB rays While UVB rays remain primarily at the top level of the skin’s surface (the epidermis) UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis or base layer of the skin. UVA rays: · activates the melanin stored in the epidermis, and produces a pigmentation effect visible within one hour but usually fades in 24 hours. · penetrates the epidermis where connective tissue and blood vessels exist. The result is a loss of elasticity that causes the skin to sag, wrinkle, and age prematurely. UVB penetration: · primarily rem
