As we age, changes to our skin – from fine lines to sagging – are inevitable. It is part of the natural aging process. But if you’ve spent years sunbathing without sunscreen or used tanning beds, you’re likely to notice more changes in your skin than someone who was careful to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. That’s because sun damage – also known as photoaging – is responsible for 90% of visible changes for the skin.
How exactly does the sun damage our skin? And how can you determine if you have sun damage? Here, with information from dermatologists, everything you need to know.
What does the sun do to our skin?
Sun damage mainly occurs when the skin is exposed to UV radiation, which includes UVA and UVB rays, Dr., a New York City-based dermatologist, told Yahoo Life. “This occurs whenever we encounter ultraviolet rays, which can penetrate clouds and even windows,” she says. In other words, you’re exposed to it not just when you’re at the beach or having a backyard barbecue, but also when you drive or sit by a window in the office.
While UVB rays damage the top or outermost layer of the skin, resulting in sunburn that increases the risk of skin cancer, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, damaging collagen and elastin. This leads to premature signs of aging such as wrinkles, sagging and hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone. “Furthermore, UVA rays act as carcinogens,” says Rambhia. “UV exposure generates free radicals, leading to oxidative stress and further cellular damage and inflammation.”
What are the signs of sun damage?
Sun damage can appear in different ways and can be acute – meaning you see the damage right away – or chronic, meaning it develops after prolonged exposure to UV rays. An obvious acute problem is sunburn, “red, inflamed, sensitive skin that can blister and eventually peel,” says Rambhia. “Tanning is also an early sign of sun damage; Once exposed to significant UV radiation, your skin cells increase the production of pigment or melanin to protect the skin from further damage.”
Chronic signs of sun damage, on the other hand, are a result of cumulative UV exposure or how much time you’ve spent in the sun over your lifetime. That includes hyperpigmentation – as age spots on your hands, face and chest – and small visible blood vessels, which can appear near the nose or cheeks, along with dryness and loss of skin elasticity, notes Rambhia. “Additionally, fine lines and wrinkles are also due, in part, to cumulative sun exposure,” she says.
Chronic sun damage, she adds, can also cause actinic keratosesor precancerous growths that are rough and scaly, as well as other types of skin cancer.
Dr Adam Friedman, a Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist, says cumulative sun damage can also make skin appear thin, wrinkled, and rough in texture. The condition of the skin poikiloderma — uneven skin tone with reddish-brown spots typically found on the cheeks, upper chest, or sides of the neck, is another sign. “All of these attributes result from chronic injuries caused by sunburn,” he says.
How can sun damage be prevented?
The good news is that sun damage can largely be avoided just by taking a few proper precautions. “To prevent sun damage, I recommend applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, as well as seeking shade during peak sun hours, 10am to 4pm, wearing protective clothing when possible” – including hats and sunglasses – “and avoiding tanning beds at all costs,” says Friedman.
He is also a fan of UPF clothing — densely woven fabrics that protect against UV rays — especially if you have to be outdoors at peak times. “And of course, remembering to reapply sunscreen every two hours is essential,” she adds.
If you’re already noticing signs of sun damage, it’s worth visiting a dermatologist to see the different ways you can treat it. This includes topical retinoids – which alleviate hyperpigmentation and smooth fine lines by sloughing off dead skin cells and pushing new ones to the surface while stimulating collagen production – It is laser treatmentswhich repair and regenerate skin cells, brightening age spots and reducing fine lines in the process.
