The short-term effects of a glowing tan can have a negative impact on the appearance of skin over the long haul. Overexposure to the suns UV rays and failure to wear sunscreen can cause premature aging and have a number of other damaging effects on your skin.
Actinic Keratoses
Actinic keratoses is an UV-related skin condition that causes reddish, raised and rough-textured growths to develop. While these skin growths can occur on any area of the body that is regularly exposed to the sun, they most often show up on the face, neck, hands and forearms. Actinic keratoses is a benign condition but it can increase your risk for developing a skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma down the road. See your doctor if you have growths that seem to match the description of actinic keratoses.
Solar Elastosis
Years of unprotected exposure to the sun can make you look older than your years. The premature aging effects of sun damage may result in thick, leathery looking skin. UV rays break down collagen and elastin fibers which work to keep skin firm and supple. This can lead to a condition called solar elastosis which causes skin to become loose, saggy and prone to wrinkling.
Pigmentation Changes
Your skin acts defensively to protect itself from sun exposure. It works overtime to increase production of the cells that make the dark brown pigment melanin. An excess of melanin can give the appearance of an uneven suntan. The damaging effects of the sun may also cause small blood vessels to dilate, which causes your skin to look blotchy and red.
Solar Lengtigines
Age spots or liver spots medically known as solar lentigines, are a common sign of sun-damaged skin. Age spots are typically brown or black and most often appear on the hands, face, arms and back. The Mayo Clinic says liver spots are harmless, even though they can resemble cancerous growths.
Melanoma
One in five people in the U.S will develop skin cancer at some point during their life, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Some skin cancers appear as a small growth or sore that bleeds, scabs and heals only to reopen. Common places for skin cancer to develop include the face, ears, chest, neck, hands and arms. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Signs that you may have melanoma include changes to existing mole or the growth of a new irregular looking mole that has an irregular shape or uneven color.
