What does uvb rays cause

The FDA sets rules for the product labeling and advertising of sunscreens. The FDA ensures that the sun Protection Factor SPF for sunscreen is clearly written on its label and that consumers can easily understand the labelling and instructions.

Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun This webpage explains how to read a sunscreen label and provides basic information about sunscreen use. Skip to main content. Contact Us. Radiation Facts. Too much ultraviolet radiation UV from sunlight is dangerous.

Not all UV radiation from sunlight makes it to Earth. Most of it gets absorbed by our atmosphere. But two kinds of UV rays do break through. UVA penetrates deep into our skin and can even pass through glass. UVA damages your skin, resulting in a tan. It is the primary radiation used in tanning beds. It causes almost all forms of skin aging, including wrinkles.

UVA damages the collagen and elastin in the skin and also generates free radicals. UVB damages skin cells and causes DNA mutations that can eventually lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer. Cataracts happen when proteins in your eye lens get damaged. The proteins start to collect pigments that cloud your vision. The best way to protect yourself from UV radiation is to stay out of the sun between 10 a.

UV rays can reflect off surfaces like concrete, water, sand and snow, and still cause significant damage to your skin. If you do go out in the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. UV Radiation. Minus Related Pages. Related Pages. Contact Us Calendar Employment. Many studies have found that basal and squamous cell skin cancers are linked to certain behaviors that put people in the sun, as well as a number of markers of sun exposure, such as:.

Studies have also found links between certain behaviors and markers of sun exposure and melanoma of the skin , including:. However, some studies have shown possible links to some other cancers , including Merkel cell carcinoma a less common type of skin cancer and melanoma of the eye. Studies have found that people who use tanning beds or booths have a higher risk of skin cancer, including melanoma and squamous and basal cell skin cancers.

The risk of melanoma is higher if the person started indoor tanning before age 30 or 35, and the risk of basal and squamous cell skin cancer is higher if indoor tanning started before age In general, the American Cancer Society does not determine if something causes cancer that is, if it is a carcinogen , but we do look to other respected organizations for help with this. Based on the available evidence, several expert agencies have evaluated the cancer-causing nature of UV radiation.

One of its major goals is to identify causes of cancer. Based on the available data, IARC has made the following determinations:. The NTP has made the following determinations:.