Article: Long term effects of UV exposure
• Wrinkles and dry skin
• Mottled pigmentation
• Skin cancer
Whilst the short term effects of UV exposure seem relatively mild, the long term effects give more cause for concern.
The sun’s rays affect both the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and the dermis (a deeper inner layer of skin). UVB causes the principle changes in the epidermis, whilst UVA causes the major changes in the dermis.
The sun’s rays cause a type of premature ageing known as photoageing. The skin becomes wrinkled and drier, and mottled pigmentation develops. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, 90% of the signs of ageing we experience are caused by skin damage from UV rays.
UV light also affects the cellular DNA of the skin cells. It is this which can lead to skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. The damaged DNA induces mutation within the cell and will allow a malignant clone of the cell to eventually develop into skin cancer.
UV exposure of the skin has a further significant impact on the creation of skin cancers because it damages a certain type of cell which controls the immune response in the skin.