How do UVA/UVB rays damage skin? UVA/B rays make it through our atmosphere UVB rays cause sunburns. UVA rays go deeper in the skin and cause wrinkles. All UV rays damage skin increasing the risk of skin cancer Upper layer of skin is burned by UVB UVA in deeper skin layers, damaging collagen, elastin, and DNA UV damage increases skin cancer risk

UVB Rays BURN!

The Sun’s UVA rays damage the skin deep down, causing wrinkles ! Even though this man might not have had sunburns, his skin still shows the damage from years of exposure to these damaging UVA rays.

Chronologic Aged Skin. With age, all parts of the skin diminish in size and function. The skin becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile. Pigment cells are less active so that the skin tans less easily. Hair becomes finer, thinner, and gray. Despite these changes, "old" skin functions remarkably well, and no one has died of "skin failure." At birth we are given a flexible, but tough, protective covering. The skin color is unblemished and wrinkle free. It has a smooth texture and a good elastic tone. The surface is covered with fine hair. Sun Aged Skin. Sunlight injures the skin, particularly the epidermis. The cumulative effects of sun exposure are wrinkling, blotchy pigmentation and roughness. Sun damaged skin also becomes less flexible and is more easily bruised. Sun damage is the major cause of skin cancer.

Actress Brigitte Bardot offers an example of the long-term effects of sun exposure. This French actress starred in many films in the 1960's. The photo on the right from the mid-1980's shows the wrinkling from sun exposure that many mistakenly assume is a natural part of aging. Unlike many American actresses, Bardot has opted not to undergo face-lifts and other facial rejuvenating treatments that are currently available in the office of a dermatologist. Preventive medicine in the form of sun protection and avoidance of tanning is especially important.