How Sun Exposure Effects the Skin

In Australia, we live in a country with the harshest sun and the highest rate of UV exposure. But how does sun exposure effect the skin? Sun exposure can cause skin cancer, unwanted pigmentation, premature ageing and unwanted skin redness. This skin blog takes a look at the harsh reality of sun exposure and what it actually does under the surface of the skin.

Let's get started.

UV RADIATION

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is natural energy produced by the sun. UV radiation produces two different energy wavelengths:

• Ultraviolet A (UVA) - a longer wavelength associated with premature ageing

• Ultraviolet B (UVB) - a shorter wavelength associated with skin pigmentation

While different energy wavelengths affect the skin differently, UV radiation can be harmful to the skin if unprotected.

SKIN CANCER

UV radiation is proven to cause skin cancer. UV radiation damages the DNA of skin cells. The damage caused to the DNA produces genetic defects or mutations of the skin cells which increase the risk of damaged skin cells developing into skin cancer. Damage from UV radiation is cumulative and the risk of skin cancer increases over time. While your body can repair some of the DNA damage, it can't repair all of it.

Common forms of skin cancer can include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. When discovered early, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are almost always curable while Melanoma is the most dangerous of the three. Melanoma has the ability to spread to other organs making it the most deadly skin cancer with the highest risk of death.

UNWANTED PIGMENTATION

Melanin is responsible for protecting the skin from the sun and UV radiation. Derived from the amino acid tyrosine, melanin is produced by melanocytes located in the outer most layer of skin, the epidermis. When exposed to the sun, melanin is activated by the skin as a form of pigmentation to protect against UV radiation absorbing the energy. This helps to prevent damage to skin cell DNA.

Depending on genetics and other factors, every individual has a different amount of melanocytes within their skin which plays a role in the skins ability to provide sun protection. This is why a person with fairer skin burns almost always as compared to a person with darker skin. While melanin provides protection for the skin, over production of melanin can cause unwanted pigmentation to form. Freckles, sunspots and even moles are directly linked to sun exposure and is a result of melanin malfunctioning and forming in vertical clumps under the skin. Other pigmentation that can be triggered from sun exposure is hyper pigmentation and melasma.

PREMATURE SKIN AGEING

Premature ageing of the skin occurs from repeated exposure to UV radiation. The dermis skin layer is responsible for the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein that supports the skin, giving it volume and plumpness. Elastin, as the name suggests, is a protein that gives skin it's elasticity.

UVA radiation penetrates deep into the dermis, damaging the collagen fibres that support the skin. This damage causes increased production of abnormal elastin. The unusual amounts of elastin results in the production of an enzyme called metalloproteinases. These enzymes, which rebuild damaged collagen, often malfunction and degrade the collagen, resulting in skin structure being poorly rebuilt. As this process is repeated with daily UVA radiation exposure, the poorly rebuilt skin forms wrinkles, and the depleted collagen results in loss of volume, ageing the skin.

SKIN REDNESS

Skin redness can occur from repeated exposure to UV radiation. UVA radiation damages collagen and elastin production in the dermis and blood vessels within the skin are also affected. Collagen strengthens vascular walls providing strength while elastin helps with the elasticity needed for the dilation of these vascular walls. Reduced collagen synthesis caused by damage to collagen fibres weakens the small blood vessels within the skin causing a widening of the vessels resulting in interstitial fluid leaking into the surrounding tissue giving the skin a red appearance.

HOW TO PREVENT SKIN DAMAGE

Prevention and early treatment are critical to prevent against skin cancer, unwanted pigmentation, premature ageing and skin redness. It’s better to prevent these concerns now, then spend the money trying to fix them later. Things you can do to protect against sun damage -

• A skin check should be performed by a GP or Dermatologist every 6-12 months

• Sunscreen should be applied everyday, reapplied throughout the day when necessary and done all year round regardless of the weather

• Protective clothing, hats and eye wear should be worn to protect the skin and eyes

• Where possible, avoid sun exposure during high UV index times

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