What kind of light is known to cause skin cancers?

Ultraviolet light is known to cause skin cancers primarily due to its ability to penetrate the skin and damage the DNA within skin cells. UV radiation can lead to mutations that, over time, may result in various forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

The risk is particularly significant with excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. This type of light can be categorized into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC, with both UVA and UVB being particularly harmful to skin health.

In contrast, infrared light primarily causes thermal effects and is not a carcinogen, while visible light does not penetrate deeply enough to cause the same kind of DNA damage associated with cancer. X-rays, although a form of ionizing radiation that can also lead to cancer, do not typically cause skin cancers in the same manner as UVA and UVB rays. Understanding the dangerous effects of ultraviolet light is crucial for both preventive care and patient education in the field of esthetics.