Most of the population gets exposed to the sun in one way or another, which is why it’s incredibly important to know how the sun affects our body, mostly our skin.
What Sun Exposure Does to Our Skin
Most of us are aware that sun exposure can provide us with vitamin D as well as other benefits. However, did you know that too much sun exposure can have negative effects? Well, the sun might be beneficial in certain aspects for our bodies, but just like anything else, having too much of it might just provide us with negative effects instead.
So, what are these negative effects of sun exposure on the skin? Let’s talk about it.
Can Worsen Acne
Essentially, sunlight can be quite beneficial for those who are acne-prone, as it can help reduce inflammatory conditions. Some individuals have noticed their skin condition getting worse during the warmer months or if they’re always exposed to the sun’s UV rays. This is because when you’re consistently exposed to the sun’s UV rays, your skin may dry out despite having oily skin. This can cause acne because when your skin is dry, your sebaceous glands tend to overwork themselves and produce more sebum (oil), which can be bad for acne-prone skin.
Another reason why the sun can worsen your acne is that your sweat production increases in warmer months and conditions.
Further, when you already have hyperpigmentation or scarring from your acne, these dark spots are brought on by the blood that helps blemishes heal. But they can also develop as a result of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is brought on by excessive sun exposure. These dark spots may be quite difficult to get rid of. One way to remove them is through the use of different skincare products; however, this can take months or years. If you want to get rid of them quickly, you can opt for a medical procedure like laser scar removal.
Can Cause Wrinkles, Hyperpigmentation, and Scarring
Photoaging, also known as sun damage, is when the sun prematurely ages your skin. This can cause your skin to get wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, and it can worsen scars or spots. The sun’s UV rays, specifically the UVA rays, can damage your skin from the surface layer, or what you call the epidermis, down to the dermis. When these rays damage those areas of your skin, the different layers of the skin, like collagen, are affected, speeding up the skin’s aging process.
Can Dehydrate Your Skin
As we’ve mentioned, the sun can dehydrate your skin. Your skin’s outer layer of hyaluronic acid is destroyed by UV light, which also causes your skin to lose some of its natural water levels. Lines and wrinkles appear because hyaluronic acid, which provides skin with its elasticity and firmness, is damaged, making it more difficult for your skin to maintain its structure and possibly causing your skin to droop.
Can Cause Skin Cancer
Lastly, too much sun exposure can also cause skin cancer. This is because the sun’s UV radiation is quite damaging to the skin. It’s because of how UV radiation can damage the DNA in your skin cells, causing skin cancer in the long run. However, this can also be because of tanning beds.
Bottomline
Although the sun may have its benefits, it’s still important to remain cautious of its negative effects. So, always make sure that you are protected against the sun, especially during its peak hours. Always wear sunscreen and use long sleeves, caps, and other sun protective clothing. You can also use an umbrella.
