Until now, scientists thought that UV-B rays, directly responsible for sunburn, were more dangerous and believed that UV-A rays only caused aging of the skin. In an article published in the magazine, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , Australian and American researchers now say that, compared to UV-B rays, UV-A rays also cause a larger number of mutations in the deep layers of skin where tumors appear.

The President of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology is of the same opinion. When presenting the European Melanoma Day, due to take place on June 14, he pointed out the dangers of the sun¡¯s rays and, amongst other things, recommended the use of sunglasses that would remove 99% of radiation from UV-A and UV-B rays.