Sun damage is damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light. Responsible for ninety percent of visible changes to the skin, sun damage or photoaging is the cumulative result of a person’s exposure to sunlight their entire life. UV radiation breaks down the second layer of skin, containing collagen, elastin and other fibres that support the skin’s structure. Without these elements, skin loses its smooth and youthful appearance. When ultraviolet rays hit the skin the cells in this second layer of skin scramble to make melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour) to prevent further damage. This is the process that gives a person a tan, which is essentially the body trying to block radiation from penetrating the skin any further. Use of tanning beds will cause sun damage quite quickly, as will they speed up the visible symptoms. Individuals with fairer skin tones are more susceptible to sun damage at an increased rate as they do not produce as much melanin to block the rays as those with darker skin, however any skin colour can be affected by UV radiation.

Common aggravators of sun damage include:

• An abundance of moles and freckles before tanning
• Extended exposure to sunlight
• Fair skin complexion
• Some medications (that make the skin especially sensitive to sunlight)
• Weakened immune system