Ultraviolet light comes from the sun's rays but is invisible to humans. Two of the three forms of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB rays, reach the earth and can damage a person's skin and eyes.
UVA and UVB rays are reaching the earth at greater intensities with the thinning of the ozone layer.
A person may look tan soon after being exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Long-term effects of exposure include premature aging, wrinkling, skin damage, and sometimes skin cancer.
Tanning booths also use and transmit ultraviolet light.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise