Long-term skin changes due to sun exposure

Abstract:

Chronic and repeated sun exposures are known to cause damage and produce undesirable changes in the skin, including carcinogenensis, immunosuppression and skin ageing. The incidence of skin cancers is increasing. Multiple studies have shown that ultraviolet radiation is the main environmental risk factor for skin cancer. Total lifetime sun exposure is associated with squamous and basal cell carcinoma, whereas intermittent or recreational sun exposure, including sunburns in childhood, is associated with malignant melanoma. Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is the main environmental factor that causes premature skin aging, which can become noticeable as early as at the age of 25 or 30 years. Over the recent decades, awareness of the harmful effects of ultraviolet light exposure has been increasing. Negative effects of ultraviolet radiation can be prevented by continuous and appropriate sun protection measures, which need to begin at an early age

Key words:
risk factors; skin; skin ageing; sunburn; ultraviolet rays