The
sun's rays make us feel good, and in the short term, make us look good. But
what most people do not know is the long term effects of this short pleasure.
Sun exposure causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. One who is
less exposed to sun or protects his skin from direct sunlight actually looks
way younger than his mates of same age bracket.
We often associate a glowing complexion with good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sun – or in a tanning booth – actually accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer.
Sun
exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of
aging. Over a long time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in
the skin. These fibres are called elastin. When these fibers break
down or gets damaged, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to
return to shape after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily,
taking longer time to heal. So while sun damage to the skin may not be apparent
when you're young, it will definitely show later in life.
EFFECTS OF SUN TO THE SKIN:
Exposure to the sun causes:
- Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions - due to
decreases in the skin's immune function
- Benign tumors
- Fine and coarse wrinkles
- Freckles
- Discolored areas of the skin, called mottled
pigmentation
- Sallowness -- a yellow discoloration of the skin
- Telangiectasias -- the dilation of small blood
vessels under the skin
- Elastosis -- the destruction of the elastic and
collagen tissue (causing lines, wrinkles and sagging skin)
SKIN CANCER:
Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of
all cancers in the world and the number of cases continues to rise. Skin cancer
can be simply explained as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. This
rapid growth results in tumors, which are either non-cancerous or cancerous.
Ultraviolet
(UV) radiation from the sun is the number-one cause of skin cancer, but UV
light from tanning beds is just as harmful. Exposure to sunlight during the
winter months puts you at the same risk as exposure during the summertime,
because UV rays are present in daylight.
WHO
IS AT RISK FOR SKIN CANCER?
Anyone can get skin cancer, but some people
have a higher risk to get it. The risk is greatest for people who have fair or
freckled skin that burns easily, light eyes and blond or red hair. Darker
skinned individuals are also susceptible to all types of skin cancer, although
their risk is substantially lower.
Aside from complexion, other risk factors
include having a family history or personal history of skin cancer, having an
outdoor job and living in a sunny climate.
