How Sun Damage Speeds up the Clock on Your Skin?
As soon as summer approaches, nearly everyone goes to the beach to cool down a bit and catch up with old buddies, but then they come back after a long fun-filled, exciting day with a tomato-colored face that sometimes is badly itching. What exactly this is? This is Sun Damage.
What is sun damage?
When we get exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation directly, it alters our skin cell DNA, resulting in sun damage.
What is sun-damaged skin?
Spots, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and dark patches characterize sun-damaged skin. Ever wondered why some people have reddened, blotchy, creased skin if their work is mostly outdoors? It is because of sun exposure without a protective covering on the skin.
Why does sun damage make our skin turn dark?
When we get exposed to solar rays, our skin releases a chemical related to melanin as a defense mechanism. As a result, the skin gets darker. There are various types of sun damage which are either acute and chronic, treatable and untreatable.
Types of Ultraviolet Radiation and their properties
Sun Damage happens because of ultraviolet radiation (UV) mainly.
There are 3 types of UV Radiation-UVA, UVB, and UVC Radiation.
| S. No. | 1. UVA Radiation | 2. UVB Radiation |
| 1 | Comprises 95% of the UV radiation that hits the ground. | Make up the remaining 5% of the UV radiation that hits the ground. |
| 2 | Penetrate the skin deeply. | Contribute to damaging the skin epidermis. |
| 3 | Hasten up the skin aging process | Lead to skin burning. |
| 4 | Have a longer wavelength. | Have a shorter wavelength. |
3. UVC Radiation
- Although they are the strongest of the 3 types of UV radiation. Quite thankfully, they get absorbed mostly by the atmospheric ozone.
12 types of sun damage to the skin
1. Sunburn
When UVB radiation penetrates the epidermis, it results in sunburn. Depending on the intensity, the sunburn can be of the first-degree or second-degree.
As a person experiences sunburn, his skin gets exceptionally hot. This is because of a surge in blood flow to the affected site. It is the immune system’s response to the harm caused to the skin. The blood is bringing in immune cells for damage control.
We can see this entire process in the form of swelling, inflammation, increased redness, and sometimes even blisters. If you are in pain because of sunburn, then take ibuprofen. Cold compress works as well.
2. Suntan
Tanned looks are very chic and a style statement. That dusky skin looks great, but it is actually sun-damaged skin by UVA radiation.
After penetrating the skin’s upper layer, UVA radiations prompt melanocytes to generate melanin. Melanin is a brown pigment that causes sun tan. UVA affects the epidermis’ lower layer.
Difference between Suntan and Sunburn?
| Suntan | Sunburn |
| Skin damage by UVA radiation. | Skin damage by UVB radiation. |
3. Freckles
Freckles are small brown skin spots that are formed because of sun damage. Medically, termed Ephelides. Red-haired and white-skinned people have a higher tendency to get freckles. They are mostly harmless, but one shall be extra vigilant as cancer at its early stage also looks like one. If you find any kind of abnormality in them, then do consult your doctor.
4. Wrinkles
Connective fibers, which are called collagen and elastin, support the skin layer.
Elastin tightens the skin. Whereas, collagen gives the skin its firmness.
Unprotected exposure to UV radiation makes the skin lose its elastin and collagen, making it saggy due to which the skin appears wrinkled up. Wrinkles can start appearing as early as the teenage. It means it is not age-related but depends upon sun exposure.
5. An Uneven Skin Tone
This is something that every other person is facing nowadays. As a result, women use a lot of makeup products to hide them and to make their skin look monotone. An uneven skin tone happens because of exposure to the sun. Consequently, the skin produces more melanin in some parts. Uneven skin tone can be either temporary or permanent.
6. Poikiloderma
It is the red-colored neck or chest skin pigmentation due to chronic sun damage. We cannot completely cure it.
7. Age spots and Sun damage
Their medical term is solar lentigines, which literally means sun spots or freckles. Age spots happen because of chronic sun damage. They are oval, highly pigmented spots, and appear on areas of the skin like the top of hands and feet, face, neck, and back, which are the most exposed to the sun. Although they are not harmful, it is better to get them checked by a doctor. Alternatively, they are called liver spots.
8. Pregnancy Mask/Melasma
Being pregnant brings joy, but it also sometimes brings dark pigmentation on the upper lips, cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose. We refer to this as a melasma or a pregnancy mask. It mostly vanishes as soon as you get your bundle of joy, but while you have it, try to use sunscreen whenever you are getting exposed to the sun as it may worsen with sun exposure. Men can also get it.
9. Actinic Keratoses
They are chronic sun damage rough skin patches appearing because of abnormal growth of cells. They are normally noncancerous but can convert into squamous cancerous cells.
10. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer which does not progress rapidly and is benign. It affects the face, neck, hands, arms, upper back, legs, lips, and ears. If left untreated, it can spread to other body parts and can lead to complications.
11. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
BCC appears in the basal cells, which are the cells that generate new cells while the old cells die through apoptosis. If left untreated, it can spread to other body parts and can lead to complications. You can get high-risk BCC removed through surgery by giving local anesthesia.
12. Melanoma and Sun Damage
It is a type of skin cancer that is caused by the uncontrolled growth of melanocytes-the cells that give skin its colors. It is an uncommon but very serious type of skin cancer.
Avoid Sun Damage By Applying A Sunscreen
You shall apply sunscreen before going out in sun and even at home. The Sunscreen shall be broad-spectrum and no less than SPF 30.
Take Away Points
Sun damage happens if we go unprotected in the Sun for long. It can be acute or chronic, treatable or untreatable, harmless or cancerous. You shall always go outdoors wearing sunscreen which is broad spectrum and has an SPF of 30 or more. Keep a check on your skin. If a persistent spot or blemish appears, do consult a doctor. Better safe than sorry.