Sunny days are all about soaking up Vitamin D. The feeling of basking under the warm sun rays is unmatchable. While enjoying the sun rays, we should also know the potential health risks of sun damage. Because it’s time to protect your precious skin!
Besides, sun damage is a serious concern that comes with plenty of risks. But fear not! Today, we’ll discuss the common risks of sun damage on your skin. So you can better protect yourself while enjoying the sunny days.
Importance of Sun Protection:
Sun protection is not just preventing sunburn. It’s a vital aspect of maintaining healthy and radiant skin. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause many skin problems. Either, it is premature aging or skin cancer.
Usually, 90% of visible skin changes (wrinkles and age spots) are caused by sun exposure. The sun’s UV rays break down collagen leading to premature aging. Therefore, we need to understand the risks of sun damage and its impact on our skin.
Understanding Sun Damage
Sun damage is a real-life problem that has lasting effects on our skin’s health and appearance. Before going into the risks of sun damage, we must know the science behind the sun’s harmful rays and how they interact with our skin.
The Science Behind Sun’s Harmful Rays
The risks of sun damage to our body are due to the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from the sun. These EMR can be visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, UV radiation mostly affects the skin.
UV radiations are of 3 types generally UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C rays.
UV-A rays have longer wavelengths and can go deep into our skin layers. They’re the culprits behind premature aging, causing those pesky fine lines and making our skin lose elasticity and firmness.
On the other side, UV-B rays (shorter wavelength) mainly affect the skin’s top layer. They’re most intense during the peak sunlight hours and can give us immediate skin damage.
UV-C rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, they are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere and do not reach the skin’s surface.
How Skin Reacts to Sun Exposure?
Sun’s rays damage our skin cells. Our natural defence is the production of melanin. It is a pigment for giving our skin its color. Melanin acts as a sunscreen on the body. It can absorb UV radiation to protect the skin’s DNA from damage.
But if the sun’s intensity increases, our skin tans. Basically, tan is to protect the skin from further harm. Well, we consider tan as beautiful glossy skin but actually, it shows that our skin is at the risk of sun damage and melanin is defending.
Who Is Most at Risk of Sun Damage?
Not all of us are equal when it comes to facing the sun rays. People with fair complexions are highly likely to be at great risk of sun damage. As they possess lower levels of protective melanin. They might be basking in the sun but can really have some painful sunburn. But if you think having a darker skin tone means you’re protected. You are wrong because UV rays can still harm any skin type.
Actually, it’s also not just about complexion; age also plays a good role As we age, our skin’s natural defenses weaken. Exposure to sun worship can add up to some serious sun damage. Still, the young ones are more susceptible to sun damage, because their skin is still developing.
Moreover, if you are facing some health issues or taking specific medications. Then you should watch out! Certain medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun leading to greater sun damage risks.
What Are the Risks of Sun Damage on Skin? Top 10!
Well, now you have grasped the basics about sun damage. Sun may seem friendly, but the risks of sun damage are not. Here are the top 10 health risks of sun damage on your skin.
1. Premature Aging
One of the most common risks of sun damage is premature aging. It usually appears as wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Besides the intense sun rays break our elastin fibers in the skin. This way wrinkles and fine lines start to appear. Moreover, it gives the skin an aged appearance.
Sunscreen is useful to combat premature aging. It can shield our skin by preventing collagen breakdown and maintaining a youthful complexion. Additionally, incorporating antioxidants in our skincare routine can help neutralize free radicals and promote healthier skin.
Simultaneously, collagen restoration can be an effective remedy for anti-aging effects. And if you wish to get the best collagen supplements, try collagen switch.
2. Sunburn and Skin Damage
Sunburn is not a pleasant experience. Sunburn occurs when the skin is exposed to excessive sun rays. These rays cause inflammation, redness, and pain. Severe sunburn can even form blisters and long-lasting damage to the skin cells.
You can treat sunburn damaged skin with moisturizers. The best moisturizers are the ones having Aloe Vera or hyaluronic acid. These items hydrate and heal the skin. Moreover, you should also avoid the sun until the skin has fully healed.
And if you got sunburn, you should probably invest in skin hydration because your skin needs some serious moisture for healing. Here, make sure to check out the 10 Signs You Should Invest in Skin Hydration.
3. Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is among the severe risks of sun damage. There are many forms of skin cancer like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. Another form melanoma is the most dangerous one.
UV rays can be damaging to the DNA of the skin cells. And if this damage is not repaired properly, it can cause uncontrolled cell growth. Mostly, people with fair skin and light-coloured eyes are affected by it, as they have less melanin.
You need to go for regular checkups with dermatologists to detect any suspicious moles. This will be good for successful treatment and recovery.
4. Sunspots and Pigmentation Issues
Sunspots are most commonly known as age spots. They are small and the darkened areas of the skin are associated with sun damage. These spots are caused by the overproduction of melanin in specific areas. This results in uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
Sunspots can make your skin look much older. And it can also affect one’s self-confidence. But there are various topical treatments available to fade these spots. You can look for products containing retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and vitamin C. These compounds can reduce the appearance of pigmentation over time.
Additionally, using sunscreen daily can prevent further sunspots, protecting your skin’s overall health.
5. Weakened Skin Immunity
Weakened Skin Immunity is also related to sun damage risks. The harmful rays from the sun can also affect the immune system of the skin.
The weakened immunity can result in infections and other environmental aggressors. UV radiation weakens the skin’s defence mechanism against the fight against bacteria and other viruses.
You should aim for better skin immunity to avoid the risks of sun damage. You should consume foods with antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, and green tea extracts. This can help neutralize free radicals for a healthy complexion.
6. Eye Health Risks
Except skin, sun rays can also affect our eyes. Sun rays can be a problem for optimal eye health. Too much sunlight can cause cataracts and macular degeneration.
Simultaneously, eyes can be burned under the sun too, more like photokeratitis. It’s a sunburn, but on your cornea making the red and watery eyes.
Therefore, you need to safeguard your eyes by wearing sunglasses. Go and look for sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays. If that’s not enough, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat to further shield your eyes from direct sunlight.
7. Sun Allergies
While most of us love spending time outdoors because why not? But some individuals can develop sun allergies or photosensitivity conditions. These conditions can appear as rashes, hives, or other skin reactions under sunlight.
So, if you have a sun allergy, consult your dermatologist to develop an effective management plan. In case of sensitive skin, you should take medications or use dermal creams.
Furthermore, try to avoid direct sunlight during peak hours and of course wear sunscreen.
8. Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance
Dehydration is a common issue faced by people who love outdoor activities on bright sunny days. Spending too many hours in the direct may cause sweating. And this will eventually lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in the body.
Dehydration can make dry and dull skin. Such type of dry and patchy skin is more likely to be burned by the sunlight. Sweating under heat not only decreases the water content of the body but also results in the loss of body fluids and other nutrients.
In sunny hours, you should maintain proper hydration. Like drinking plenty of water and replenishing electrolytes through natural sources or supplements is essential. You can now shop for the best edge electrolyte to deal with dehydration under hot weather.
9. Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a dangerous condition where the body’s temperature regulation system malfunctions, leaving us at the mercy of soaring heat. This can also be another risk of sun damage.
Well, the sun rays are to be blamed for this rise in the temperature. And the high temperature is the reason for many heat-related conditions (heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps). Heatstroke usually affects a person whose body is temperature sensitive. The weakened immune system can be another factor for this sensitivity.
And the only remedy you can do is to hydrate. Well, hydration drinks can remove this excess heat, making it more relaxed. You can also prevent this heatstroke by staying in the shade and wearing breathable clothing.
10.     Vitamin D Balance and Sun Exposure
The last point is to get your precious vitamin D. But you need to find the right balance for it.
The sun is good for the synthesis of vitamin D. And vitamin D is very important for overall well-being. But the excess of Vitamin D can lead to bone deformities. So remember to consume a moderate amount of Vitamin D.
You already know the nutritional value of vitamin D very well. Â And getting enough vitamin D can be challenging. So, try spending a few minutes in the sun during non-peak hours probably the morning time. It can help to get enough vitamin D without putting the skin at risk of sun damage.
But if getting enough sun exposure is not for you, use vitamin D supplements.
Final thoughts:
You should enjoy the sun-kissed adventures but don’t overlook the potential dangers that lurk within the warm embrace of sunlight.
Make sunscreen your best friend and praise the beauty of the sun. Â Adopt healthy sun habits with sun protection measures without compromising your skin’s health.
Excess of everything is bad. Therefore, limit your exposure under the sun and safeguard your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
FAQS
How much sun is healthy for the skin?
The amount of sun can be different for various skin types. Usually, 10 to 30 minutes of sun on the arms, legs, or face is enough for the synthesis of vitamin D during the morning.
What is sun damage on the face?
Sun damage on the face is the visible effect caused by the excessive sun. These effects may include redness, pigmentation or dryness. In severe cases, skin cancers can also occur.
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At what age does sun damage start to show?
Sun damage can start showing as early as the late teens or early 20s. Visible signs may include sunspots, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.