The Effects of Sun Exposure

The sun’s rays make us feel good, and in the short term, make us look good. But our love affair isn’t a two-way street. Exposure to sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. Consider this: A woman at age 40 who has protected her skin from the sun actually has the skin of a 30-year-old!

We often associate a glowing complexion with good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sun, or in a tanning booth, actually accelerates the effects of premature skin aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer.

How Sunlight Affects the Skin

Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers break down, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily, taking longer to heal. So while skin damage may not be apparent when you’re young, it will show later in life.

The UV rays from the sun are responsible for most visible signs of aging. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and are primarily responsible for long-term skin damage like wrinkles, while UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and can directly damage skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Risks of Too Much Ultraviolet Radiation

Too much ultraviolet radiation, whether from direct sunlight or artificial sources like tanning beds, can lead to serious health risks. Prolonged UV exposure can suppress the skin’s immune response and promote the development of pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions.

Other effects of too much sun exposure include:

• Benign tumors
• Fine and coarse wrinkles
• Freckles
• Discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation
• Sallowness — a yellow discoloration of the skin
• Telangiectasia — the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin
• Elastosis — the destruction of the elastic and collagen tissue (causing lines, wrinkles and sagging skin)

Understanding Ultraviolet UV Radiation and Sunlight Exposure

The sun emits various types of rays, including visible light, UVA rays, and UVB rays. These contribute to both the short-term appearance of tanned skin and the long-term effects of premature aging. According to the World Health Organization, ultraviolet radiation exposure is a leading cause of skin cancer worldwide.

While moderate sun exposure can help the body produce vitamin D, it’s important to avoid solar UV radiation during peak hours and always use sun protection factor (SPF) products.

How to Protect Your Skin

To help prevent skin cancer and premature signs of aging, take these sun safety precautions:

• Always wear protective clothing when spending extended time outdoors.
• Apply sunscreen with a high sun protection factor every day.
• Avoid tanning booths and limit time in direct sunlight during midday hours.

Contact Us

Call the office to speak with our nursing staff to discuss how to protect your skin and repair the damage that may have already occurred.