We love sun, don’t we?? It makes us feel good, positive. Plus it makes our bones healthier as it is stimulates vitamin D production in the body. Summers, when the sun bestow upon us its full wealth, is the time for picnics, beaches, trips, and also, ‘sunburns’.

 

How does sun damages our skin ?

 

Sun emits dangerous ultraviolet rays UVA and UVB, which penetrate into our skin, and harm them. UVA make up for the majority of the damage done and, irrespective of the season, they are continuously present in the sun rays. They penetrate deeper layers of the skin and can cause severe damage. Even in the winters and rains when you think you can roam about freely without any protection, these invisible devils are present. UVB mostly causes superficial damage, and they are emitted mostly during the summers.

 

What happens to skin in prolonged exposure to sun ?

 

Following detrimental changes may be observed:

 

Pre-cancerous (actinic keratosis) >> skin becomes wrinkled, painful when a cloth is rubbed on it and superficial blood vessels. It may further lead to squamous cell carcinoma. Cancerous skin lesions (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) Benign tumors Wrinkles Redness Blistering Freckles >> brownish spot on the skin turning darker on sun exposure Discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation A yellow discoloration of the skin The dilation of small blood vessels under the skin Sun exposure also causes cataract and immune system weakness, apart from skin damage.