Effect Of Sun On Skin

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• QWhat is ultraviolet (UV) light?

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  A National Alliance for Hispanic Health answered

  The main source of light given off by the sun is ultraviolet (UV) light, also called ultraviolet rays or radiation. There are two types of ultraviolet rays:

  • UVA rays make it hard for your body to fight infections and cancer. UVA rays can also pass through windows and change the deeper layers of the skin. This can cause spots on your skin, premature aging and wrinkles.
  • UVB rays are the main source of sunburns. Sunburns will increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

  Ultraviolet light from any source is dangerous. All sources of artificial sunlight or ultraviolet light, including tanning beds and salons, should be avoided. Ultraviolet light is sometimes used for medical purposes but should be done under the supervision of your healthcare provider.
• QHow does the sun affect the skin?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  One effect sun has on skin is to encourage it to produce vitamin D, which is a very good thing. Unfortunately, another effect of sun exposure is to cause sunburn. This occurs when the penetration of the sun's rays (ultraviolet A and B) goes deep enough into the dermis (inner layer of skin) that it then damages the cells. On the other hand, sun tanning is a protective response caused by skin cells called melanocytes producing more pigment (melanin), which helps protect the skin from sunburns. A long-term effect of sun exposure on the skin is to cause it to lose elasticity and become more wrinkled.

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• QWhat happens if I tan too much?

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  A Dr. Susan Evans , Dermatology, answered

  So what happens to someone with tanorexia? There are several problems with being obsessed with your tan, not just on a physical level but on a mental level as well. Studies indicate that people who suffer from tanorexia display the same addictive behavior as smokers or people with other addictive habits. Just as in an addiction to plastic surgery, there is no point where the person reaches a goal. It's an elusive point they strive for, with no end in sight.
  
  If you or someone you know suffers from tanorexia, you may want to talk to your dermatologist. When someone is addicted to tanning they will continue to tan no matter how dark they already are, increasing their risk of cancer due to the prolonged exposure to the UV rays. Tanning addicts who use only spray tans are not at a physical risk but they are still dealing with an obsessive compulsive disorder.
• QIs black skin less prone to sun damage than white skin?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Contrary to popular beliefs, both black and white skin can be damaged by exposure to the sun. While black skin has a natural sun protection factor (SPF) of 13.4 and white skin 3.3, both skin colors are equally susceptible to damage. Regardless of the color of your skin, you should always have some form of protection from the sun.
   
• QI'm a teenager, can the sun damage my skin?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Chronic sun exposure when you're young can result in premature aging -- sagginess, wrinkles, and spotty skin -- and, possibly, a diagnosis of skin cancer years later. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, has been associated with bad sunburns acquired in childhood or adolescence. And even if you are careful to avoid sunburns, your skin can be damaged by tanning. Sun damage is absolutely a concern for teens, not just for older adults. 
• QIs sunlight always bad for my skin?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Sunlight is not always bad for your skin. Sunlight stimulates the skin to produce vitamin D, an essential nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium and may help protect against heart disease and other chronic conditions. Certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, may improve with sun exposure. However, too much sun exposure can increase your chances of developing skin cancer, so balance is key. In most parts of the United States, getting as little as 10 minutes of summer sun three to four times a week enables your body to absorb plenty of vitamin D. There also are a number of non-sun sources of this crucial nutrient, such as fortified foods and vitamin supplements. Be sure to talk to your primary care doctor or dermatologist if you have questions about sun and your skin. 

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• QHow does sun exposure affect aging?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  

  Too much sun ages us because exposure to ultraviolet light destroys elastin and promotes wrinkles. It also damages the chromosomes in your skin cells. Chromosomes are the strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contained in each cell in your body. If you look through a microscope at sun-damaged skin cells, you can see actual breaks in the chromosomes where they have been damaged by solar radiation. This chromosomal damage can lead to cancers. Amazingly, the sun can even damage the chromosomes in cells not directly exposed to sunlight.
  Researchers are learning more and more about the risks and benefits of sun exposure. In this video, Michael Roizen, MD, chief wellness officer for the Cleveland Clinic, discusses how sun exposure can affect how quickly you age, and your risk of cancer.

  

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• QHow can I tell if the sun is damaging my skin?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Whenever you get burned or tanned, you are damaging your skin. The more often your skin gets tanned or burned, the more damage is done. This damage can kill skin cells and also cause mutations in your skin, which can cause skin cancers. This is why it is important to always wear sunscreen or use sun protection.

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• QIs sun exposure more dangerous at the beach?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Sun exposure is dangerous no matter where you are. You may feel as if you get more sun when you are at the beach, but the reason is because you may be wearing less clothes in an area without shade and be out under the sun for a long period of time. It is important to wear sunscreen of a minimum of SPF 30 or protective clothing.

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• QCan any medications increase sun damage to skin?

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  A Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson , Internal Medicine, answered

  If you're taking certain medications, sun exposure can cause additional damage to your skin. It's important to check the labels of any of the medications you're taking to see if they cause photosensitivity. Those most commonly used include the antibiotic doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide diuretics, and antiarrhythmics, such as amiodarone.

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