UVA rays – found in both natural sunlight and tanning beds – are more harmful than previously thought and can pose a significant cancer risk, according to a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
While UVB rays are usually seen as the ‘bad guy’ of sun damage, UVA rays actually penetrate deeper in to the skin, causing less visibly noticeable damage like sunburn, but harming the lower layers where cells are dividing more rapidly and are therefore at greater risk of turning cancerous.
"In the past UVA has been written off as not very serious to the skin," explained lead author Antony Young, from King’s College London. "What we are saying is that UVA does cause significant damage to DNA in the skin especially in the base layer, and that is where the damage is important."
Even people who are exposed to sunlight from behind glass – such as motorists – may be soaking up UVA rays without knowing it. While most glass is treated to filter UVB, many sunroofs and windows allow UVA light to pass through.
In order to help ensure you’re properly protected, use plenty of good quality, high-SPF sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Photo credit: Michal Marcol– freedigitalphotos.net