How Does Sunlight Affect the Aging of Skin?
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Types of Rays
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Sunlight is something every living thing needs. It gives us energy and it is our main source of vitamin D. Our skin absorbs it when it comes in contact. Sunlight itself has visible and invisible light. The invisible light is called ultraviolet light and is broken down into three groups: UVA, UVB and UVC rays. UVA and UVB rays are what effect the skin negatively. UVB is made up of shorter rays and effects only the skins surface. They cause some skin cancers and sunburns, but most sunscreens block these rays and the subsequent sunburn, and keep certain types of cancers from developing. UVA rays go deep into the skin and are the rays that tan the skin. They don't generally cause burns and unfortunately sunscreen is not very effective in blocking them.
Basics
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The sun's rays cause a breakdown of collagen, wrinkling, brown spots and general aging. This happens when some of the ultraviolet light is absorbed by the cells in the skin. The light damages the cells causing its growth capability and appearance to change. Skin that looks older than it actually is, is one result of this damage.
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Continued Use
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Repeated exposure to sunlight can result in thinner skin with less elasticity. Large brown spots form, similar to freckles. Wrinkles become even deeper and a person seems years older than they really are because these skin changes usually only occur over a long period of time. The disappearance of collagen in the skin and damaging the growth substance in the cells keeps the skin from reproducing as quickly, causing the thinness and loss of elasticity.
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