Aside from the immediately obvious damage caused by a severe sunburn, the skin can also accumulate sun damage over time. Ultraviolet light--particularly UVA and UVB rays--is the primary cause of sun damage to the skin. Sun damage is cumulative, and skin can continue to become more and more damaged over time with further exposure to sunlight. In some cases, the damage may develop into skin cancer.
Step 1
Using a full-length mirror, a hand-held mirror and a brightly lit room, do a physical check all over the body for wrinkles, rough patches and blotchy pigmentation on your skin. These are all signs of damage from exposure to UVA and UVB rays. The first signs of sun damage come in the form of fine wrinkles and freckling, which progress to deeper wrinkles, spots and other visible evidence of damage. Pay careful attention to areas commonly exposed to sunlight, such as the face and hands. Don't forget to check areas you normally might not look at but that often have sun exposure, such as the top of the ears, back of the neck, the backs of the legs, the scalp underneath your hair and the area between your toes.
Step 2
Compare sun-exposed skin to areas that are commonly protected from the sun, such as the skin of the buttocks or underarm area. This can give an indication as to whether any damage seen comes from sun exposure or normal aging. Don't presume that wrinkles or pigmentation are just normal signs of aging. They are often signs of underlying sun damage, especially if seen in younger individuals.
Step 3
Inspect the skin for asymmetrical moles, pearly bumps, leathery patches on the back of the neck and dry, scaly areas. These indicate signs of severe chronic sun damage, and may also be signs of developing skin cancer caused by sun exposure. Skin cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of sun damage, and it is important to catch potential cancers early to prevent them from spreading. If you spot any signs of potential skin cancer, see a dermatologist immediately to get treatment.
Step 4
Visit a dermatologist to have an assessment using UV light photography. UV light can expose damage that is not visible in regular light. In a UV photograph, sun damage will show up as freckling or large spots or splotches on the skin. Severe underlying sun damage can be monitored with UV photography to help prevent skin cancers or further sun damage from developing.
Things You'll Need
- Full-length mirror
- Hand mirror
- Well-lit room
