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Sun damage to the skin can manifest in various ways and over different time frames, depending on the extent of exposure and individual skin types.
Here's a breakdown of when you might start to see the effects of sun damage, alongside recommended practices and products:
Immediate effects (hours to days) Sunburn: The most immediate form of sun damage is sunburn, which can appear within a few hours after excessive sun exposure. The skin becomes red, inflamed, and painful, sometimes accompanied by blisters in severe cases.
Tanning: Tanning—which many people mistakenly consider a "healthy" glow—is actually the skin's response to injury, appearing within a few hours to days. It's the result of the skin producing more melanin to protect itself from UV damage. Short to medium-term (weeks to months)
Photoaging: With repeated exposure, signs of photoaging may start appearing as early as in one's 20s or 30s, though it can take years of cumulative exposure for the effects to become noticeable. This includes fine lines, wrinkles, and changes in texture.
Pigmentation changes: Freckles, sunspots (also known as liver spots or solar lentigines), and changes in skin pigmentation can become more pronounced with ongoing sun exposure over weeks to months.
Long term (years) Actinic keratosis: Precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratosis develop from years of exposure to the sun. These rough, scaly patches on the skin's surface can eventually lead to skin cancer if left untreated.
Skin cancer: The most severe form of sun damage is skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. This can take years of accumulated damage to manifest.
Deep wrinkles and loss of elasticity: Over time, the sun's UV rays break down the skin's collagen and elastin fibers, leading to deeper wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of skin's youthful elasticity.
Prevention and protection Preventing sun damage is paramount and can be effectively managed by: Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen from professional skincare brands with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. Wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Seeking shade during peak sun intensity hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Integrating sensitive skin care products into your routine if you have reactive skin, to ensure protection without irritation. Including products from the best skincare brands for aging skin in your regimen to address and prevent the long-term effects of sun exposure.