¿What types of UV rays are there? ¿What is the difference between them? ¿How can we protect ourselves from them? Keep reading if you want to find out!
UVA rays
UVA rays cover almost 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. They are the most powerful category of UV rays, are always there during daylight every single day and can go through windows and clouds.
These rays penetrate the skin deeper than UVB rays, reaching both the epidermis and the dermis, the deepest layer of the skin. They help you with your tan, but they are the source of the much-dreaded signs of skin aging too: wrinkles, spots and flaccidity.
UVB rays
Mainly, UVB rays damage the epidermis or skin’s outermost layer. They are responsible for painful and annoying sunburns and have a significant role in skin damage that can eventually lead to cancer.
UVB rays can reach the Earth’s surface, especially at high altitudes, all year round.
Which are more dangerous?
Both are, but in different ways; while UVB rays can cause short-term visible damage (burns), UVA rays accelerate the skin’s aging process, so a prolonged exposure to both can cause cancer.
What is the best protection?
Choose an SPF 15 or higher sun protection factor that protects you against UVA and UVB rays and apply it regularly and conscientiously, all year round!