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After UVC, which does not reach the surface of the earth, UVB is the most
common type of UV ray that is in the sun. UVB is absorbed by the skin and
manifests itself by redness. So by monitoring how red you get you can get
an idea of how much UVB you're getting.
UVB is well-known to cause skin cancer, specifically non-melanoma skin
cancers over time. It is thought that it's not just one session of UVB that
causes skin cancer, but the cumulative dose over the course of a lifetime.
That's why most BCCs and SCCs happen on sun-exposed areas such as the face
and ears. Most sunscreens over the counter that have SPF are designed to
protect you from UVB. The higher the SPF, the more protection you have.
It's important to read the actual ingredient, though, as mechanical
blockers, such as zinc and titanium, have better UVB protection than other
types, like avobenzone.