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HomeHealth TopicDermatology
01:39

UVA vs. UVB Rays (and Why You Want a Sunscreen That Blocks Both)

These two UV rays cause different types of skin damage.

Lauren Smith, MAAlexandra Schwarz, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on May 2, 2023

Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against two key types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA and UVB. Both UVA and UVB rays affect the skin, but in different ways. In this video, learn the effects of UVA and UVB radiation and how to protect your skin.

You can read more about how to protect your skin from the sun here.

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References

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). How to prevent skin cancer.

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). How to select a sunscreen.

View All References (2)

American Cancer Society. (2019). Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Gruber, P., et al. (2023). Skin cancer. StatPearls.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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