Ultraviolet light Plays an Important Role in an Individual’s Health and Well Being Year Round

Posted by admin on February 19, 2009 under cancer, Skin Cancer, Summer Skin Care, sun damage, sun protection, UVA, UVB, UVC | Be the First to Comment

As Winter Wanes and Spring Begins to Blossom, the Impact of Light on Day to Day Life Becomes ….. Illuminated

Ultraviolet light is an essential part of life, with both life-sustaining as well as damaging affects. From promoting Vitamin D and treating many different types of skin conditions to aging and skin cancers, it’s role has an undeniable impact on life. Understanding it and one’s exposure to it is key.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum that begins at the violet color of visible light (400 nm) and ends at the beginning of X-ray (200 nm). Visible light includes ultraviolet light A (320-400 nm), ultraviolet light B (290-320 nm), and ultraviolet light C (200-290 nm).

Ultraviolet light A (UVA) comes from sunlight and is capable of penetrating windows. It also has a longer wavelength and penetrates deeper into the skin to cause photoaging. Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is also from the sun and can cause sunburns and immediate redness. Ultraviolet light C (UVC) from sunlight and is filtered by the ozone layer. Artificial sources of UVC include cold quartz lamps and operating room germicidal lamps.

UV light is not only beneficial but necessary for individuals and the environment. It makes vitamin D in our skin, which is increasingly linked to overall health and well being. In fact, recent reports indicate Vitamin D deficiencies of large proportions within the United States as a result of sunscreen overuse and our conditioning to stay out of the sun in order to avoid the harm of its rays. Vitamin D deficiencies are linked to increased risk of many different types of diseases including cancer.

UV light has also been effectively used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that causes red, dry and rough patches of skin that worsens in colder winter months. Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder.

The harmful affects of UV light are well-known in American society, contributing to the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries – promoting sunscreens and anti-aging cosmetics. The light can be harmful, not only aging the skin but also damaging cells – resulting in various types of skin cancers.

Sunscreens labeled with a sun protection factor (SPF) lower the chances of a sunburn from UVB rays. UVB has been used to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, eczema and other dermatologic diseases. Sunlight machines have bulbs that emit light of the UVB spectrum. And now a specific band of UVB at 311-312 nm (narrowband UVB) is used to more effectively treat various skin conditions such as psoriasis. This is called phototherapy.

UVA rays cause damaging aging affects in the skin. Sunscreens containing zinc and titanium dioxide protect the skin against UVA. Phototherapy machines also have bulbs that emit light of the UVA spectrum. After taking a medication called psoralen, the skin becomes sensitized to the ultraviolet light. This is called PUVA treatment, psoralens plus UVA, and it is used as well to treat diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo.