Sun Damage: Risks and Preventative Measures

QDoc Team
May 19, 2023

Sunshine has many benefits for our health. It’s a key source of vitamin D, reduces stress, improves our mood, and even strengthens our immune system. It is important to be careful while taking advantage of the benefits to minimize the risks associated with UV exposure.

It can take many years for the effects of sun damage to be noticeable, which is one of the many reasons why its impact is overlooked. Sunscreen is extremely important for our long-term skin health, and it is key to be aware of what falling asleep in the sun for too long or not wearing SPF for a golden tan can do to our health.

In this article, you will find some common long-term effects of not wearing sunscreen and best practices for preventing them.

Why Wear Sunscreen?

We’ve all been told repeatedly the importance of wearing sunscreen; reapply it every 2 hours, wear it if the UV index is over 3, and never forget to pack it in your beach bag.

Some people think sunscreen is only needed if they’re in the sun for a long time or on a vacation or beach trip rather than an everyday routine as recommended. The primary causes of both sun damage and skin cancer are ultraviolet rays, which are always present. It is important to apply SPF on either a sunny or cloudy day, even if you are only outdoors for 20 minutes.

The Effects of not Wearing Sunscreen

Sunburns

It may be obvious that being in the sun for too long without sunscreen can cause a sunburn. Serious long-term effects can arise, such as skin problems and cancer, if multiple sunburns happen. If the sunburn is severe, short-term effects can emerge, such as flu-like symptoms, dehydration, and confusion, or it could even cause you to faint or go into shock.

Skin Cancer

Too much UV radiation, especially sunburn, can damage the DNA in our skin cells. When there is too much damage to the DNA, cells can start to grow out of control, leading to melanoma and other skin cancers. Sunscreen can help reduce your risk of skin cancer by reducing overall UV exposure.

Photoaging

Too much sun exposure, specifically unprotected sun exposure, can cause increased and faster skin aging, which is called photoaging. Chronological skin aging is normal and cannot exactly be prevented; however, photoaging is preventable by using sunscreen daily.

Photoaging can cause the following:

Wrinkles
Leathery skin
Skin discolouration and dark spots
Dry and coarse skin
Scarring

Weakened Immune System

Laboratory and Epidemiological evidence show that overexposure to UV radiation could impact how the immune system functions and the skin’s natural defences. When the immune system becomes weak from overexposure, it may reduce the skin’s ability to protect itself against infections and cancers.

Protective Measures

Here are some little yet very effective ways to prevent the above long-term results of sun damage. Practicing these tips and remaining mindful of them while outdoors could tremendously protect your skin and guard your health.

Apply Enough Sunscreen

Experts suggest applying 1 ounce of sunscreen to your body when applying, which is about equivalent to a shot glass. For the face, it is recommended to apply a nickel-sized dollop.

Apply Sunscreen Ahead of Time

Sunscreen can take up to half an hour to absorb into the skin, so it is very important to apply it before going out to ensure you are protected once you go outside.

Reapply Sunscreen Every 2 hours

Sunscreen only lasts a few hours, so be sure to reapply it every two hours when outdoors. Apply more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating or when using spray sunscreen, as it doesn’t last as long.

Wear Protective Clothing

It’s a good idea to wear clothing and accessories that protect you from too much sun. Wide-brimmed or tightly woven hats, UV-protected sunglasses, long loose sleeves, or UPF-protected clothing materials are great at protecting your skin. Also, ensuring access to shade is another good alternative if you are getting too much sun or need to cool off.

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