What type of radiation causes sunburn

What causes these burns? The Sun sends lots of energy toward us all the time. There are a few different kinds of energy. There is infrared radiation , which is heat. There is visible light , which is what our eyes can see. There is also ultraviolet light. And it can burn our skin. Infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet light are all types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. When shopping for sunscreen, you may want to opt for a physical, or mineral-based, product.

Recent research has found that the ingredients in some chemical sunscreens can be absorbed into your blood. These ingredients are found in physical sunscreens. Clothes can provide some protection from UV exposure. Tightly-woven dry fabrics are best. Many outdoor companies make clothes that provide increased protection from UV rays.

Limit your exposure to direct sunlight by staying in the shade. This is most important between 10 a. Choose sunglasses that offer UV protection to prevent damage to your eyes and the surrounding skin. However, the AAD advises against getting vitamin D from sun exposure or tanning beds, as UV rays can cause skin cancer. Rather, they recommend following a healthy diet that includes foods that are natural sources of vitamin D.

These include fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel. Vitamin D is also found in maitake mushrooms , egg yolks, and foods and drinks that are fortified with vitamin D, like some milks, breakfast cereals, and orange juice. You may also want to consider taking vitamin D supplements. UVA rays can penetrate your skin more deeply and cause your skin cells to age prematurely.

They have higher energy levels than UVA rays, and typically damage the outermost layers of your skin, causing sunburn. These rays directly damage DNA and are the cause of most skin cancers. Looking for the best sunscreen for your skin type? Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts. Tanning is your body's attempt to protect itself from being damaged by ultraviolet UV radiation.

While we need some exposure to sunlight to help our bodies make vitamin D, too much UV is dangerous. Source: U. Almost half the daytime total of the more harmful UVB radiation is received between the hours of 10 a. UVA radiation is the main type of light used in most tanning beds. Once thought to be safe, we now know it is just the opposite.

UVA is everywhere. UVA accounts for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the earth. These rays maintain the same level of strength during daylight hours throughout the year. This means that during a lifetime, we are all exposed to a high level of UVA rays. UVA can penetrate windows and cloud cover. Protect yourself! Skin Type. Atypical Moles. Healthy Lifestyle. Red Alert! This Is Skin Cancer. Make a Donation.