A few minutes of sunshine helps your body produce vitamin D, a nutrient that your body cannot make on its own, which is needed for healthy bones. Prolonged sun exposure can damage your skin and cause other health problems. The sun emits ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. These rays have the ability to penetrate your skin and cause problems like sun burns and skin cancer.
Sunburn
UVB rays from the sun are responsible for causing sunburns. Sunburns typically happen on sunny summer days but can also occur during the winter. Snow reflects a percentage of the sun's rays, which can cause sunburns to unprotected skin. Signs of sunburn include red, tender, warm skin, swelling and blisters. Severe sunburn symptoms--fever, chills, nausea and confusion--require immediate medical attention.
Premature Aging and Wrinkles
UVA rays from the sun are responsible for collagen damage and skin aging. Your skin contains proteins known as collagen and elastin. These proteins keep your skin firm and elastic. They enable your skin to remain wrinkle-free and snap back to its former position when stretched. Sunlight damages the collagen and elastin in your skin and this causes signs of premature aging which includes the appearance of wrinkles on your skin. Prolonged sun exposure also makes your skin tough and leathery--this can make you look older. According to Go Sun Smart, up to 80 percent of aging is cased by sun exposure.
Age Spots
Skin discoloration like age spots--also known as liver spots--can result from excessive sun exposure. The Mayo Clinic says that age spots are flat, gray, brown or black spots that usually appear on the areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun. Areas of your skin that could be affected are your hands, face and shoulders. When you spend a lot of time in the sun, your skin produces extra melanin--a pigment that gives your skin color--to absorb the harmful rays of the sun. Age spots result from over-production of melanin in certain parts of your skin.
Skin Cancer
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 90 percent of skin cancers occur on sun-exposed skin. Medline Plus says that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and typically affects people who spend a lot of time in the sun, have light-colored skin, hair and eyes, a family member who has skin cancer or who are over the age of 50. The more common forms of skin cancer are basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is another type of skin cancer that is less common but more dangerous than the first two. UVA and UVB rays both contribute to skin cancer because they weaken the skin's immune system and cause changes in skin cell DNA.
Prevention/Solution
The effects of skin damage from the sun may occur immediately or later in life. The American Academy of Dermatology says that sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor of skin cancer. To reduce your risk of sun-induced skin problems, apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go outside. Sunscreen needs this amount of time to be absorbed by your skin. Wear protective clothing like hats with wide brims, sunglasses and long-sleeved clothes. Avoid being outside between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon. The sun is very intense at this time. Inspect your skin for changes in the color, size, shape or feel of moles, birthmarks or any skin discoloration. Report your findings, if any, to your dermatologist, as they may be signs of skin cancer.
