Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Your Health

Types of UV rays

There are 3 types of UV rays:

• UVA. These rays go into the skin more deeply than UVB rays. They play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling. They also cause skin cell damage that can lead to cancer. 

• UVB. These rays are the main cause of sunburn. They tend to damage the skin's outer layers. Exposure to these rays is linked to most skin cancers.

• UVC. These are dangerous rays, but they don’t reach our skin. The Earth’s atmosphere absorbs UVC rays before they reach us.

How UV rays affect your health

In most people, UV rays activate a chemical in the skin called melanin. This is the skin's first defense against the sun. Melanin absorbs the dangerous UV rays that can do serious skin damage. This is the process that gives you a tan. A tan is a sign that your skin is trying to keep UV rays from damaging your skin.

But melanin can’t absorb all the UV rays. And some people don’t have much melanin in their skin. A sunburn happens when the amount of UV rays exceeds the protection that the skin's melanin can provide. Sunburn is damage to the skin. It causes pain, redness, and blistering.

Exposure to UV rays is linked to other harmful health conditions, too, such as:

• Skin cancer. Millions of people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. each year. Skin cancer is more common as people get older. But skin damage from the sun starts at an early age and builds up over time. Protection should start in childhood to prevent skin cancer later in life.

• Premature aging of the skin.  This is also called photoaging. It causes the skin to become thick and leathery over time. Other signs of photoaging include earlier-than-normal freckling, wrinkling, loss of collagen, and widening of small blood vessels in the skin. These changes can happen at younger ages and more quickly in people who regularly spend a lot of time in the sun or regularly used tanning beds or lamps. The skin may also develop brown spots (liver spots) in later years.

• Cataracts and other eye problems. UV radiation exposure increases the risk of cataracts. This is when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, making it hard for you to see. If not treated, cataracts can lead to blindness over time. Other eye changes from UV light can include eye damage, eye pain, and vision problems.

What is the UV Index?

The UV Index (UVI) is an official forecast from the National Weather Service. It estimates how much ultraviolet radiation will reach the Earth's surface when the sun is at its highest point in the day for most ZIP codes across the U.S. This information can help you plan outdoor events and know your level of sun exposure. It also gives you tips on how to help prevent sunburns.

The UVI also includes the effects of cloud cover on the forecast UV level. It notes the risk of overexposure to the sun's UV rays on a scale from 0 (low) to 11+ (extreme). The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a system of colors that correspond to UVI.

Understanding the UV Index

Staying safe in the sun

For many people, a small amount of exposure to sunlight is fine. But too much can be dangerous. Keep track of the UV Index. Protect your skin with clothing and sunscreen. Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Take extra care around sand, water, and snow. They all reflect UV rays and give you more exposure. These steps will help you reduce your risks of cancer, premature aging of the skin, and harm to your eyes.