Developing wrinkles is an inevitable part of aging, but excessive sun exposure can cause a person to look much older than her chronological age. According to the website Go Sun Smart, the sun's ultraviolet rays are responsible for 80 percent of premature aging. Protecting yourself from the sun is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your skin's youthful appearance.
How Sun Ages Skin
Many people are under the false impression that a suntan is a sign of good health. The reality is that a tan is actually the skin's response to damage, eventually leading to splotchy patches of excess pigment. The sun's ultraviolet rays not only cause the outer layer of skin to darken, they also penetrate deep into the skin, damaging your skin's collagen. Collagen is the protein substance that keeps the skin firm and youthful -- once lost, your body cannot restore it. The sun also depletes the skin of moisture, causing it to look wrinkled, dry and flaky. In some people, sun damage causes the delicate blood vessels beneath the skin to weaken and rupture.
Symptoms
Excessive sun exposure causes the premature development of lines and wrinkles. The skin's texture also changes, becoming coarse and leathery to the touch. Keeping sun-damaged skin moisturized is difficult, as it is apt to be flaky and dry. Age spots, darkened patches of skin caused by an overproduction of melanin, are common in older people who have spent a lifetime in the sun, as is solar elastosis, an unsightly thickening of the skin, according to the website Skin Care Guide. Broken capillaries beneath the skin can cause permanent redness in some sun-damaged individuals.
Prevention
Ideally, protecting one's skin from the damaging effects of the sun should begin in childhood and continue throughout life. It is never too late to begin protecting your skin from the aging effects of the sun, however. Apply sunscreen daily, wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing when outside and avoid prolonged exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is most intense. Such tactics can significantly slow down the rate at which your skin ages.
Treatment
Laser skin resurfacing and intense pulsed light therapy are both surgical methods intended to treat the wrinkles, discoloration and broken capillaries caused by excess sun exposure. Nonsurgical treatments for sun-damaged skin include chemical peels and dermabrasion, both of which remove the damaged top layer of skin to encourage regenerated skin growth. Botox and collagen injections can improve the appearance of wrinkles, as can certain prescription topical creams.
Nonprescription Remedies
You can purchase drugstore products to correct the effects of mild sun damage. The website Health Key recommends that you look for ingredients such as retinol, which softens skin and reduces wrinkles; copper peptides, which improve skin elasticity; alpha-hydroxy acids, which improve skin tone; and vitamins C and E, antioxidants that contribute to a healthy appearance.
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