Safeguarding your skin against the sun is not something you should ignore. For as long as you live, the sun's effects will be compounded. This means that as you age, the damage that the sun has imposed upon our skin will become more evident.

Studies have shown that both UVA and UVB radiation are responsible for solar damage to the skin. They have also shown that photoaging due to this radiation occurs within the first 20 years of your life. Therefore, the sooner you begin taking preventive measures, the better off your skin will be.

Dermatoheliosis is the term used to describe the cumulative effects of chronic sun exposure. The alterations in the skin range from benign proliferation of skin cells (known as hyperplasia) to epidermal dysplasia and neoplasia, both of which can be benign or malignant.

Dermatoheliosis may also lead to photodamage, photoaging, blotchy pigmentation, and hyperpigmentation. Solar damage promotes an abnormal deposition of clumps of elastin within the dermis, which is called elastosis. Wrinkled skin is the result of this build up of elastin.

As you grow older, your skin becomes more brittle and less capable of protecting itself from the sun. Also, by the time you turn 70 the melanocytes per unit area will have diminished by about 40%. As melanin protects you from photodamage, a decrease in the amount of melanocytes means skin that is more susceptible to damage.

Protecting Your Skin from the Cumulative Effects of the Sun

You must use sun protection every day, even cloudy days, to keep your skin healthy. The right skin care products with UVA and UVB protection are the best. Appropriate clothing such as wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts are also vital for protecting your skin from chronic sun exposure.