Sun exposure poses a threat to us all because of our common contact with UV light. UV light is the most dangerous to our skin, despite that it is invisible to the eye. A small amount of vitamin D from UV exposure is healthy. However, larger quantities damage the body's genetic material and alter the amounts and types of chemicals that skin cells make. These changes are responsible for common effects of sun damage such as burning, premature aging, wrinkling, age spots and skin cancer. Be sure to know about the potential risks of sun damage and how to avoid them.

Did you Know About the Deeper Effects the Sun Can Have on your Skin?

Analysis has shown that UV rays do not only damage the skin's surface but go deeper to cause more lasting effects. Visible damage appears in the shape of sunburn and freckles, but more destruction is being done than we can see. UV rays penetrate the skin and produce free radicals and that lead to collagen break down, wrinkles, and possible cancer. A lack of healthy collagen proteins also relates to a mounting number of abnormal elastin tissues. The sun's harmful rays create an enzyme that produce a incompetent type of collagen tissue. Over time, this pattern of faulty rebuilding leads to wrinkles. UV radiation also creates free radicals. Free radicals are oxygen molecules that lack stability forcing them to search for extra electrons which can harm cell process and transform genetic material, leading to cancer. UV exposure also is destructive to pigment producing cells and causes brown pigmentation and blotchy complexion. These underlying reactions caused by sun exposure create nasty effects that are difficult to reverse.

Did you Know the Sun is the Leading Cause of Wrinkles?

That's correct. Science has proven that exposure to UV rays constitutes at least 80 percent of wrinkle development. This is explained by the sun's destructive effects on collagen fibers. Collagen is a protein necessary for healthy, tight, and smooth skin. As collagen in damaged, elastin, a fibrous tissue, builds up and releases an enzyme that further breaks down collagen. This creates a flawed collagen fiber formation which creates wrinkles over time. UV light also causes free radicals to enter the body which develops an imbalance in the molecular composition. This can result in cell damage ranging from collagen break down, heightened enzyme production, development of wrinkles, to skin cancer.

Did you Know Age Spots Could be More Accurately Called Sun Spots?

Age Spots are flat brown hyper pigmentations that develop on your skin after years of sun exposure. It is the sun that causes age spot, not your age. These discolorations develop on parts of your skin with the highest level of sun exposure such as your face, neck, chest, shoulders, arms, and back. Exposure to UV destructs your body's cells that create melanin, called melanocytes. These cells are found on the outermost layer of skin and are responsible for creating darker pigments in order to protect deeper layers from the damages of UV. Once melanocytes are damaged from prolonged sun exposure, they begin producing more pigment than necessary creating random dark spots that may grow larger over time.

How to Avoid Effects of Sun Damage

If possible, the most effective protection from the sun is to stay out of its rays when they are the strongest. If sun exposure is unavoidable, it is extremely important to apply sunscreen. Do so everyday, even when wearing makeup with sun protection. If you find yourself outside for awhile, it is important to reapply sunscreen every two hours. It is also imperative that you are aware of any medications your are taking that make you more sensitive to the sun. For those of you who are sensitive, it is a good idea to use sunscreen as well as other protectors, for example hats, glasses, and clothing that limit your skin's exposure to the sun. Take care of yourself by protecting your skin from future harms due to sun damage as well as addressing already visible signs of aging with natural skin care.