[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/07\/difference-between-uva-uvb-uvc\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/07\/difference-between-uva-uvb-uvc\/","headline":"The Difference Between UVA, UVB, and UVC Rays","name":"The Difference Between UVA, UVB, and UVC Rays","description":"Updated: Learn about Ultraviolet radiation, part of the sun's light spectrum that reaches the earth. Check out this infographic difference between UVA, UVB, & UVC.","datePublished":"2014-07-30","dateModified":"2024-01-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC Hillman Cancer Center","url":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-hillman-cancer-center\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/difference-between-uva-and-uvb.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/difference-between-uva-and-uvb.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/07\/difference-between-uva-uvb-uvc\/","about":["Cancer Care","Safety"],"wordCount":979,"keywords":["abnormal moles","Melanoma","premature aging","skin cancer","SPF","sun damage","sun spots","sunscreen","ultraviolet radiation","UV rays","UVA","UVB","UVC"],"articleBody":"The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, with three types of UV rays \u2014 UVA, UVB, and UVC. All three rays are different, but all three can cause skin damage like burns, premature aging, and skin cancer.It’s important to understand UV rays so you can protect yourself from the damage they can cause.What is UV Light?Ultraviolet or UV light is radiation energy from the sun, which comes in two forms: UVA and UVB. UVC radiation, while not originating from the sun, is also dangerous and harmful to the skin.UV radiation is a wavelength too short for the human eye to see.Types of UV RaysUVA \u2013 The most common UV ray from the sun and most dangerous, UVA can penetrate the skin down to the middle layer.UVB \u2013 A shorter wavelength than UVA that can only penetrate the skin to the top layer. The earth’s ozone layer stops some UVB rays from reaching the surface. Treated glass also can stop UVB rays.UVC \u2013 The ozone layer stops all UVC rays from the sun. Therefore, the only exposure humans get to UVC is from artificial sources such as lasers or welding torches.The Difference Between UVA, UVB, and UVC RaysThe sun emits three different types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. All types of UV radiation have the potential to damage your skin, but each type affects your skin differently.UVA rays account for 95% of radiation that reaches the earth’s surface. They can cause wrinkles, sun spots, and other types of premature aging. They are also strongly linked to skin cancer. They can penetrate the middle layer of your skin, known as the dermis.UVB rays, which affect the skin’s top layer (the epidermis), cause skin cancer and most sunburns.UVA and UVB rays pose the greatest risk for sun damage. But people who work with welding torches or mercury lamps may be exposed to UVC rays \u2014 the most dangerous type of UV radiation.How do you tell the different UV rays apart and how do they affect your skin?Check out the infographic below to learn your ABCs!UVA raysThe sun is the main source of all UV rays on earth. However, man-made sources of UVA rays can include lights made to mimic sunlight for therapy or tanning purposes. UVA rays can be deflected off the skin by using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater.UVB raysThe earth’s ozone layer prevents some UVB rays from reaching the earth’s surface. However, it does not stop all UVB rays. Luckily UVB rays cannot pass through glass, so you are protected from UVB rays when in the car or at home. Sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater also will deflect UVB rays.UVC raysUVC rays come from the sun, but the earth’s ozone layer prevents all UVC rays from reaching the earth’s surface. Man-made sources of radiation, however, such as lights, welding torches, or lasers also can emit UVC rays. UVC rays cannot penetrate the skin as deeply as UVA or UVB, but UVC rays can be particularly harmful to the eyes. Never look directly at a UVC light source.Which Type of UV Ray is the Most Harmful?Consistent, unprotected exposure to any source of UV radiation can be harmful. UVC rays penetrate the body the least, mostly affecting weak points such as the eyes. UVB rays can only penetrate the first layer of skin, while UVA rays can penetrate to the middle layer of skin.Exposure to radiation from the sun can cause melanoma and other skin cancers.Which UV Ray Causes Sunburn?UVA rays are most likely to cause sunburns as they are the most prominent type of UV ray on earth. UVA rays will also penetrate the skin down to the middle layer (dermis). UVB rays can penetrate the top layer of skin, meaning they can also cause sunburn.There is very little difference in the type of burn and no clear way to tell what type of UV ray caused your sunburn.What Type of UV Ray Causes Melanoma?Consistent, unprotected exposure to UVA or UVB rays can cause melanoma and other skin cancers. However, UVB rays have more energy than UVA rays and can damage the DNA in skin cells more directly. UVB rays are believed to be the cause of most skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.While it is difficult to eliminate UV exposure, you can reduce it by covering exposed portions of the body, wearing sunscreen, or wearing sunglasses. However, reducing exposure to UV rays may not prevent melanoma. Keep an eye on any changes in existing moles \u2014 or a new mole with an irregular shape or color \u2014 as it may be a sign of melanoma.Protecting Yourself from UV RaysShielding your skin from UV rays is one of the most important things you can do to prevent skin cancer, premature aging, and other types of\u00a0sun damage.Broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 blocks up to 97% of the sun’s rays. You’ll need about one ounce \u2014 or a shot glass full \u2014 of sunscreen to cover your whole body and face. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you’ll be in the water or sweating heavily. The sun’s rays shine strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so use extra caution during that time period.With sunscreen, protective clothing, and the right sunglasses, you can enjoy outdoor activities while protecting your skin at the same time.If you are concerned about any\u00a0abnormal moles\u00a0or skin discolorations as a result of years of unprotected sunbathing, please visit the\u00a0UPMC Hillman Cancer Center website\u00a0or call 412-647-2811 to schedule an appointment.  Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 30, 2014, and was last reviewed on April 25, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Difference Between UVA, UVB, and UVC Rays","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/07\/difference-between-uva-uvb-uvc\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]