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You may have heard a lot about 395nm UV light, but what exactly is it?

The answer to this question can be found in the science of photochemistry. When we talk about UV light, we are talking about wavelengths from 100-400 nm. The most common wavelength used for curing dental resin is 395nm. This is because when you look at the spectrum of sunlight, there is an abundance of energy between 200 and 400 nm that will effectively cure your resin. 

But what we're looking at here is the wavelength specifically. 395nm is the best wavelength for killing germs and bacteria. 395nm UV light is a wavelength of UV light. It's not just any old UV light; it's specific to our needs.

Why do we need to use UV light? Why don't we just use regular daylight or fluorescent lighting? Well, let's take a closer look:

Daylight has a broad spectrum of visible light. Visible light includes all colors of the rainbow, which means that if you were to shine a white light on something, it would reflect off different wavelengths of light. These wavelengths include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. All these colors are present in the sun, so why wouldn't they work as well as a light source?

The problem with using natural light is that the light isn't concentrated enough to kill germs and bacteria. We need to concentrate on the light to get the same results. Fluorescent lights also have a broad spectrum of visible wavelengths, but they aren’t very effective at killing germs and bacteria either. They emit only one color of the light (usually blue), which doesn't provide us with the necessary concentration of light needed to kill germs.

What is UV Light?

UV light is invisible to our eyes, but it has a very important role in the body. The ultraviolet rays from the sun help us produce vitamin D, which helps build strong bones and teeth. They also help prevent skin cancer, and they kill bacteria and viruses.

UV light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, radio waves, X-rays, gamma rays, and other forms of energy.

UV light is part of a range of wavelengths between 100 nm (100 angstroms) and 400 nm (400 angstroms). This wavelength is known as UVA or Ultraviolet A. It is responsible for tanning the skin.

The longer wavelengths are called UVB or Ultraviolet B. These are the rays that cause sunburns.

The shorter wavelengths are called UVC or Ultraviolet C. These are not dangerous to humans, but can damage some plastics.

It's important to know that while all these wavelengths are harmful to human health, most people are exposed only to UVA and UVB.

UVA is absorbed by the epidermis and reaches deeper layers of the skin where it causes DNA damage. UVB penetrates through the epidermis to reach the dermal layer, where it damages collagen fibers.

Why Do We Use 395nm UV Light?

So why would you want to use 395nm UV light? Here are four reasons:

1. You want to kill germs and microorganisms. Germs and microorganisms like to live in dark places, such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, closets, and under sinks. If you leave them alone long enough, they will multiply and become more resistant to antibiotics.
2. You want to disinfect surfaces. Many times, we come into contact with surfaces that may contain germs and microorganisms without even knowing it. For example, you might touch a door handle after someone else touched it before you. Or maybe you touched a countertop after touching a dirty handrail.
3. You want to sterilize medical equipment. Medical instruments should be cleaned regularly to avoid spreading infections. But cleaning them too often could lead to bacterial growth. That's why many hospitals use UV light to disinfect their medical equipment.
4. You need a blacklight. A blacklight is an instrument used to detect invisible substances. Blacklights work on the principle that certain materials reflect back different colors of light than others do. Some materials don't absorb any light, so they appear white when illuminated with a blacklight. Others absorb red light, making them appear pinkish. 

How Does 395nm UV Light Work?

395nm UV light kills germs and microorganisms by damaging their DNA. When DNA is damaged, it cannot reproduce. So when you expose germs and microorganisms to 395nm UV light, they die.

You can see this process happening right now. Take a look at your kitchen sink. There are probably lots of germs floating around there. Using a microscope you could take a look at how they react to 395nm UV light. As soon as you turn on the light, you'll notice that the germs start to shrivel up and fall apart.

If you're wondering what happens to the water in the sink, don't worry about it! Water molecules absorb UV light just like germs do. And because water is transparent, you won't have any problems seeing the results.

If you're curious about how much time it takes to kill germs and microbes, here is an experiment you can try. Put a few drops of food coloring in a glass of water, then place a piece of paper towel over the top. Turn on your 395nm UV light, and watch the color change. In less than 10 seconds, you'll see the color disappear completely.

Is 395nm UV Light Safe?

Yes, 395nm UV light is safe for humans. However, if you work in a hospital setting, you need to wear protective clothing and eye protection.

The FDA has approved the use of 395nm UV light for germicidal purposes. It also says that using UV lights below 400nm (the visible spectrum) does not pose a risk to humans.

395nm UV light doesn't hurt people short term. In fact, it's been used safely for decades in hospitals and other settings.

But the intensity of the light can cause discomfort. A study published in 2003 found that exposure to high-intensity ultraviolet radiation caused redness and swelling of the skin.

Why Should I Use 395nm UV Lights?

There are two main reasons why you would choose to use 395nm UV lights instead of traditional germicidal methods. First, they're more effective. Second, they're safer.

1. They're More Effective

When compared to traditional germicidal methods, 395nm UV light kills bacteria and viruses faster. This means that you can spend less time cleaning and disinfecting your home or office.

2. They're Safer

Using conventional methods to clean and disinfect surfaces can sometimes spread germs and microorganisms throughout your home or business. These germs and microorganisms can cause serious health issues.

For example, if you touch a contaminated surface, such as a door handle, you may transfer germs onto your hands. Then you can put those germs into your mouth, nose, eyes, or even your vagina. That's why using 395nm UV light is important. It allows you to kill germs before they get a chance to multiply.

Final Thoughts…

There you have it! Everything you need to know about 395nm UV lights, including why it's the best UV wavelength out there. It's the best for killing bacteria, and for using it as a blacklight. We hope this helped!