The short-term results of unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays are sunburn and tanning. Long-term exposure can cause prematurely aged skin, wrinkles, dark patches (also known age spots or liver spots), actinic keratoses (rough, red, scaly patches, crusts or sores). and often fatal skin cancers.
Over time, the sun’s UV light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. The breakdown of these fibers causes the skin to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to snap back after stretching. Your skin does change with age--for example, you sweat less and your skin can take longer to heal. Overexposure to the sun also causes the skin to bruise and tear more easily. So while sun damage may not show when you’re young, it will later in life.
There are non-invasive cosmetic procedures available to help counteract the age spots, livers spots and wrinkle damage caused by over exposure to the sun -- such as the Affirm™ laser. For deeper facial creases caused by the breakdown of elastin -- cosmetic dermal fillers are widely used.
Still, one-third of all adults sunbathe even though they know that sunlight can hurt their skin.
What can you do if you plan on being out in the sun? Try to avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm when the sun is at its hottest.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
Use the proper sunscreen for your face. It should be rated at SPF 30 and should protect against UVA as well as UVB. SPF ratings are only for UVB rays and a good sunscreen should also contain Parsol, zinc oxide or titanium oxide to protect against UVA.
Don’t forget your lip protection! You should choose a good lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher and remember to apply it frequently, to protect the delicate tissue of the lips.
