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That said, too much basking in the sun can have the opposite effect. From sunburn to wrinkles, there are many ways in which the sun can damage our skin if we expose ourselves for too long without sun protection. Below are just a few ways in which the sun can damage our skin.
Sunburn
Sunburn is caused by too much exposure to UV light. The UV light eventually starts to damage skin cells and our inflammation response kicks in, causing redness. On top of being painful and making you look like a lobster, sunburn can increase the risk of developing other skin problems listed below. This is why you should try to avoid sunburn where possible by wearing sun cream and staying in the shade (particularly if you have fairer skin).
Hyperpigmentation
Our skin produces a brown pigment called melanin to protect it from the sun. Those with darker skin naturally have more melanin to provide added sun protection. Sometimes our skin’s ability to produce melanin malfunctions - providing too much melanin to certain parts of our skin and resulting in dark patches. This can range from small moles to large sunspots. Hyperpigmentation is more likely to occur as a result of prolonged sun exposure. To avoid uneven dark spots, limit time in the sun and wear sun protection.
PLE
PLE (polymorphous light eruption) is a fairly common condition in which people become allergic to sun exposure, developing rashes across their body. This is different to sunburn in that it causes blotchy raised patches rather than even redness. Those with PLE need to take extra caution in the sun and should try to avoid prolonged exposure as much as possible . PLE can develop at any age and is usually genetic.
Skin cancer
While sun exposure isn’t the only cause of skin cancer, it is by far the leading cause. Many people who spend long periods in the sun develop skin cancer throughout their lives. Skin cancer starts as a melanoma (which typically looks like a strange and uneven mole). By undertaking skin cancer treatment, you can remove these melanomas before the cancer spreads. Once you’ve had skin cancer, you’re likely to keep getting it. Taking action early is essential for preventing cancer from spreading from the skin to other organs and body parts where it can be deadly.
Wrinkles
Excessive sun exposure is also a leading cause of premature wrinkles. The skin gets permanently damaged over time and loses its elasticity at a faster rate. This causes it to become dry and shrivelled. Spending a lot of time in the sun also increases development of facial wrinkles because many of us end up spending more time squinting (although wearing sunglasses can stop us from squinting). All in all, by reducing time spent in the sun, you could ward off wrinkles longer.