Sunburn And Sun Damage Explained

Unprotected sun exposure (whether leading to sunburn or not) is the number one cause of premature skin aging and skin cancer. Unfortunately, many people still don’t take it seriously and are not doing enough to protect their skin. We’ll give you a deeper understanding of how sun damage affects skin and the key steps to reduce its risks.

UVA and UVB

There are two main types of UV rays that cause sun damage: UVA and UVB.

UVA (longer-wave) rays activate skin in an unhealthy way to become tan, but they are not the rays responsible for sunburn. UVA rays go far deeper into skin and trigger skin cancer as well as premature aging damage.

UVB (shorter-wave) rays are responsible for causing sunburn and also trigger premature aging damage. UVB is considered the common cause of most skin cancers.

Sun damage can be prevented through regular and consistent application of sunscreen or sunblock for your face and body. However many people still fail to do so, putting themselves at risk of both short- and long-term consequences of sun damage.

Consequences of Sun Damage

Beyond the short-term consequences of a painful sunburn, sun damage has far more serious long-term repercussions for your skin. Essentially, sun damage destroys your skin’s ability to maintain the vital components (such as antioxidants, essential fatty acids, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins) it needs to look young and healthy.

In addition to potentially life-threatening skin cancer, the long-term consequences of unprotected sun exposure from UVA and UVB rays include:

• Increased fine lines and wrinkles.
• Skin discolourations and uneven tone.
• Dry, thin, crepey-looking skin.
• Buildup on the surface layer, resulting in dull, congested skin.

Additionally, UVA sun damage is particularly insidious because it causes no immediate pain or discomfort, yet it still harms your skin. Over time, prolonged exposure can lead to skin abnormalities, accelerate signs of aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Protect Yourself

Prevention is the only way to truly save your skin. Once damaged, there is only so much you can do. That means wearing regular sun protection such as sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater, every day, rain or shine. It’s never too late to start using an SPF product for your face or body, but the sooner, the better.

Keep in mind that if you’re going to be outside for long periods of time or sweating a lot, you will need to reapply your SPF product regularly to ensure you are getting full protection. Also, be aware that some medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Pro tip: Lips can get sun-damaged too! Protect them with a lip balm with SPF, and reapply it regularly because eating, drinking, and even talking will make it wear off.

Minimise the Visible Signs of Sun Damage

While soothing treatments like aloe vera cream can relieve the pain and discomfort of sunburn, the long-term damage happening out of sight is much harder to cure or repair. Although sun damage cannot be undone, there are several types of anti-aging skincare products that can help diminish the appearance of its aging effects in surprising ways:

• AHA or BHA exfoliant: Helps remove the buildup of unhealthy skin caused by sun exposure, restoring smoothness, improving skin tone, and leading to an overall more radiant complexion. (Note: These exfoliants can leave your skin sensitive to UV rays after usage so always follow up with sunblock or sunscreen if exfoliating in the daytime!)
• Retinol skincare: Visibly diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging caused by the harmful effects of the sun. 
• Vitamin C serum: Dramatically brightens uneven skin tone brought on by sun exposure.
• Antioxidant serum: Helps shield skin against environmental damage and boosts the efficiency of your SPF product.

Learn how and where to apply sunscreen to prevent sun damage.

Shop sunscreen and sunblock for your face and body at Paula’s Choice Singapore.

References for this information

• The American Cancer Society, April 2017, ePublication
• Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, November 2012, pages 1013–1024
• Journal of Clinical Oncology, January 2011, pages 257–263