What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?
Quick Answer: UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and cause aging and long-term damage, while UVB rays mainly affect the skin's surface, causing sunburn and playing a key role in skin cancer development.
UVA rays make up about 95% of the UV radiation reaching Earth. They can pass through clouds and glass, reaching deeper skin layers. This is why they contribute more to wrinkles and skin aging.
UVB rays are more intense but don’t penetrate as deeply. They primarily affect the outer skin, causing redness and sunburn. UVB is also the main driver for vitamin D production but can damage DNA, increasing skin cancer risk.