Earlier studies have been mainly concerned with shortwave ultraviolet light of the sun. More recently, interest has shifted to the longwave ultraviolet (UVA) region which is present in sunlight in a much higher quantity than shortwave ultraviolet. Furthermore, most of the modern artificial ''sunlamps'' used in tanning salons emit predominantly UVA radiation. In our intention is to provide an overview regard ng the biological effects induced skin which are able to combat or prevent UVA radiation-induced damage. It importance to study the basic mechanisms of protection which are present in skin in order to allow for the potential development of synthetic defenses, which mimic those biologically present, for future use in biology and medicine