Ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet light (often abbreviated as UV) is a type of electromagnetic radiation that originates from the sun and is also produced by specialized lights and lasers. UV light is classified into three types based on wavelength: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
Overview[edit | edit source]
UV light is invisible to the human eye because its wavelength is shorter than that of visible light. The name "ultraviolet" means "beyond violet", referring to its place in the spectrum of light, which is beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum.
Types of UV Light[edit | edit source]
There are three types of UV light: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
- UVA has the longest wavelength and makes up the majority of UV light that reaches the Earth's surface. It can penetrate deep into the skin and is responsible for immediate tanning. It is also associated with skin aging and wrinkle formation.
- UVB has a medium wavelength. It is partially absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere but the portion that reaches the surface can cause sunburn and play a key role in the development of skin cancer.
- UVC has the shortest wavelength and is almost completely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere. It is not normally a risk factor for skin cancer. However, UVC light can be produced by artificial sources such as lamps and lasers and can cause harm to skin and eyes upon direct exposure.
Health Effects[edit | edit source]
Exposure to UV light, particularly UVB, can have both beneficial and harmful effects on human health.
- Beneficial Effects: UVB light is necessary for the production of vitamin D in the skin. This vitamin is essential for bone health, immune function, and other bodily processes.
- Harmful Effects: Overexposure to UV light can lead to skin damage, sunburn, and skin cancer. It can also cause cataracts and other eye conditions.
Protection from UV Light[edit | edit source]
Protection from UV light is important to prevent skin damage and other health effects. This can be achieved through wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, and avoiding sun exposure during peak UV times.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Ultraviolet light Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
