What PA means
PA stands for protection grade of UVA. A 2024 review in Skin Health and Disease explains that the system was developed in Japan and uses plus symbols to show how much UVA protection a sunscreen offers, from PA+ up to PA++++, the highest grade. You will often see it on Japanese and Korean sunscreens sold in the UAE.
The grade is based on a test called persistent pigment darkening, or PPD. Where SPF measures how well a product prevents UVB redness, PPD looks at how well it prevents the lasting tan that UVA produces.
Why it is useful for pigment-prone skin
UVA passes through window glass and contributes to tanning, skin ageing and darker pigmentation. SPF alone does not tell you about UVA, so a PA grade is a helpful second number if you live with melasma, post-inflammatory marks or a long daily drive. A sunscreen labelled SPF 50+ with PA++++ is telling you about both kinds of protection.
Other labels you may see
Not every country uses the PA system. In the United States, the words broad spectrum show that a product protects against both UVA and UVB. In Europe, a UVA logo in a circle may be used when the product's UVA protection is at least one third of its labelled SPF. These systems are tested differently, so they are not exact equivalents, but each signals meaningful UVA cover.
Using it well
A high PA grade still depends on how you apply the product. Use enough to cover all exposed skin, reapply about every two hours outdoors and after sweating or swimming, and add shade and clothing. For melasma, many dermatologists suggest a tinted formula with iron oxides, because neither SPF nor PA measures protection from visible light.
Where this term appears
Related terms
Sources
- Skin Health and Disease: Sunscreens, a narrative review (2024). europepmc.org. Accessed October 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreen FAQs. aad.org. Accessed October 2026.