Test Your Knowledge

The effects of sun exposure are cumulative, meaning that damage from the sun accumulates over time. Sun lamps and tanning beds can also produce similar skin damage. Too much sun over time can result in the following:

• Sunburn. Excessive acute sun exposure may result in sunburn, which is characterized by redness of the skin that may be accompanied by dryness, swelling, pain or tenderness, blistering, nausea and/or fever.
  
  
• Premature aging. Excessive sun exposure over time can lead to skin changes known as photoaging. Individuals who sunbathe regularly often show signs of photoaging prior to 30 years of age, whereas individuals with less sun exposure typically exhibit changes at 40 years of age or older. These photoaging changes may include:
  
  
  • Weakening of the skin’s connective tissues (solar elastosis), which results in reduced strength and elasticity
    
    
  • Thinning and increased transparency of the skin
    
    
  • Deep wrinkles
    
    
  • Rough, dry skin
    
    
  • Uneven pigmentation
    
    
  • Fine, red veins on the nose, cheeks and ears
    
    
  • Freckles (mainly on the face)
    
    
  • Macules or solar lentigines (also called age or liver spots) on the upper back, chest, arms, back of hands and face
    
    
  • Dark brown lesions on the lips (labial lentigos)
    
    
• Purpura. Excessive sun exposure can cause a person to bruise more easily.
  
  
• Comedones. Exposure to the sun may lead to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads in sun damaged areas.
  
  
• Benign skin tumors. Excessive sun exposure can also result in the formation of several types of skin lesions. Seborrheic keratoses are tan, brown or black lesions that vary in size and have a waxy appearance and are noncancerous.  Actinic, or solar keratoses, are patches that range from brown to dark pink in color and appear rough and scaly. Actinic keratoses are often considered precancerous.
  
  
• Skin cancer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive sun exposure (including severe sunburns) over time appears to be the most significant environmental factor in the development of skin cancer. It affects one out of every five Americans, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This disease typically affects the areas that receive the most sun exposure, including the face, ears, neck, forearms and hands. There are two main types of skin cancer:
  
  
• • Non-melanoma skin cancer. Far more common and much less dangerous than melanoma skin cancer. The two most common forms include:
    
    
  • • Basal cell carcinoma. A tumor that typically appears as a small, fleshy, shiny nodule on an exposed area of the body. It grows slowly and rarely spreads (metastasizes) to other regions of the body. However, this type of tumor can severely damage surrounding skin.
      
      
    • Squamous cell carcinoma. A tumor that usually appears on the ears, face, mouth or lips as a scaly, red patch or nodule. Left untreated, this type of tumor can metastasize to other regions of the body and may be fatal.
      
      
  • Melanoma skin cancer. A tumor that normally appears suddenly as a dark patch or mole with irregular edges. Sometimes a melanoma is multicolored with shades of white, blue or red. Left untreated, it can metastasize to other regions of the body and may be fatal. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), melanoma is the most common type of cancer among women between the ages of 25 and 29. Approximately every 68 minutes, one person in the United States dies from melanoma.
    

Individuals who suspect they have skin cancer should immediately contact a dermatologist. All types of skin cancer are curable if detected early.

• Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity). For some individuals, exposure to the sun may result in an allergic reaction. Signs of sun allergy may include bumps on the skin, hives, blisters or blotchy, red areas. Certain cosmetics, perfumes and medications may also make individuals sensitive to sun exposure.
  
  
• Immunological problems. Regardless of an individual’s susceptibility to sunburns, sun exposure can suppress the immune system and increase an individual’s vulnerability to infection and cancers. Diseases that affect the immune system (e.g., herpes simplex virus, lupus) can become worse with exposure to sun.
  
  
• Eye damage. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation may burn the cornea of the eye and increase the risk of developing a cataract (condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy). It may also cause macular degeneration, the deterioration of part of the retina of the eye, which may result in blindness.

Although much of the damage sun causes to the skin is not reversible, there are treatments available to improve the skin’s appearance. Topical treatments are available to address mild to moderate sun damage. More severely damaged skin may require cosmetic surgery procedures, such as chemical peels, dermabrasion or facial skin rejuvenation. Lasers and photofacials can also be used to treat sun damage.