Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from the sun and other sources, such as tanning beds. It has both beneficial and harmful effects on human health. On the one hand, it can help the body produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone development and helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. On the other hand, UV radiation can cause skin cancer and other skin conditions.
In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of UV light in detail. The positive effects of UV radiation include the production of vitamin D, a vitamin that is essential for human health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food and contributes to bone development. Most of these benefits are mediated by the production of vitamin D in the skin induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
However, there may be several other pathways for the action of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on humans, as explained in this review. One is the induction of cosmetic tanning (immediate darkening of pigments, persistent darkening of pigments and delayed tanning). Delayed tanning induced by UVB rays (increases melanin in the skin after several days) acts as a sunscreen. Several human skin diseases, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis and localized scleroderma, can be treated with solar radiation (heliotherapy) or artificial UV radiation (phototherapy). Exposure to UV rays can suppress the clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis regardless of the synthesis of vitamin D.In addition, UV rays generate nitric oxide (NO), which can lower blood pressure and, in general, improve cardiovascular health.
UV-induced NO can also have antimicrobial effects and, in addition, act as a neurotransmitter. Finally, exposure to UV light can improve mood by releasing endorphins. Some chemical reactions caused by UV light are known to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. Immune cells that live in the skin can stop working, migrate out of the skin, or suffer cell death after exposure to UV radiation. Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, UV light can be used to effectively treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.
Ultraviolet light is ionizing radiation, meaning that it releases electrons from atoms or molecules, causing chemical reactions. UV light therapy is usually administered in a medical clinic, where healthcare providers administer UV light therapy with a variety of devices. Indoor tanning is popular not only among Caucasians in countries with low annual UV levels (northern countries) ,16,17 but also in countries with high annual UV levels (Australia). Ultraviolet light induces the body to also synthesize other molecules, including opioid-like molecules, which are thought to cause a “high” from tanning. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma (one of the deadliest cancers) are related to exposure to ultraviolet light.
Smaller equipment may include lighting cabinets for hands or feet, a portable lamp, combs that emit light from the barbs to reach the scalp, and lasers which can focus a beam of high-intensity ultraviolet light on a small area. In conclusion, while there are many potential benefits associated with exposure to UV light, there are also risks associated with it. It is important to be aware of both when considering whether or not to use UV light therapy or engage in indoor tanning. The use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation has both advantages and disadvantages for human health. On one hand it helps produce vitamin D which is essential for bone development and helps absorb calcium and phosphorus from food.
On the other hand it can cause skin cancer and other skin conditions. Therefore it is important to understand both sides before deciding whether or not to use UV light therapy or engage in indoor tanning. The beneficial effects of UV radiation include production of vitamin D which helps absorb calcium and phosphorus from food and contributes to bone development. Most positive effects are mediated by production of vitamin D in skin induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) rays but there may be other pathways too.
Delayed tanning induced by UVB rays acts as sunscreen while several human skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo etc can be treated with solar radiation or artificial UV radiation. Exposure to UV rays can suppress clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis regardless of synthesis of vitamin D. In addition UV rays generate nitric oxide (NO) which lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health while having antimicrobial effects too. It also releases endorphins which improve mood while having anti-inflammatory effects on skin.
Immune cells that live in skin can stop working or suffer cell death after exposure to UV radiation making it effective for treating inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Indoor tanning is popular among Caucasians in countries with low annual UV levels as well as those with high annual levels like Australia due to release of opioid-like molecules which cause “high” from tanning. However it increases risk for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma which is one of deadliest cancers. Smaller equipment like lighting cabinets for hands or feet etc are available too but should be used carefully due to risks associated with them.
In conclusion while there are many potential benefits associated with exposure to UV light, there are also risks associated with it so it is important to be aware before deciding whether or not to use it for therapy or indoor tanning.
