Solar radiation is responsible for most of the deleterious skin conditions that are often erroneously

attributed to aging, such as:

the appearance of sun spotsthose brown spots that tend to appear on areas of skin exposed to
the sun,
the appearance and accentuation of wrinkles and sagging skin,
Enlargement of blood capillaries on the face, and the development of various skin tumors.
The suns radiation ranges over a wide spectrum of wavelengths. The wavelength of ultraviolet radiation
is adjacent to that of visible violet light. Ultraviolet- B (UVB) (290-320 nm) rays are high-energy
emissions, which can cause significant damage to living tissues and cells. This is the main type of
radiation that is responsible for: sunburn, tanning, and the appearance of skin tumors following
prolonged, cumulative exposure to the sun.
The energy level of ultraviolet-A (UVA)(320-400 nm) rays is less than that of UVB rays, so they cause
less skin damage. UVA waves are divided into short UVA (320-340 nm) and long UVA (340-400nm).
This long length makes the UVA wave incapable of holding many photons (a photon is a basic element
of nature. It can't be destroyed into smaller elements. It was first identified by Max Planck in 1900 as the
packets of energy). So, carrying no energy, it can't be felt (no heat sensation caused).

Until recently, UVA rays were thought to provide safe tanning, and most solariums still use lamps that
emit UVA for achieving a tan. However, even UVA rays cause skin damage. UVA rays discreetly
penetrate skin deep into the epidermis and cause cellular DNA damage. UVA also cause the production
of more free radicals. It also causes temporary pigmentation (or short term tanning) which lasts for a
couple of hours. Moreover, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin than do UVB rays, causing damage
to the elastin fibers located deeper in the skin, and thus hastening skin aging.
Another fact that must be kept in mind is that UVB rays do not penetrate glass, while UVA rays do.
Therefore, for example, when driving in a car with closed windows, skin damage can occur because of
the UVA radiation. Hence, in an air-conditioned car, one tends to forget that the skin is still exposed to
ultraviolet radiation. Therefore: It is not advisable to expose oneself to the suneven through a glass
window. Tanning at a solarium can damage the skin.
What is Suntanning?
When we talk of suntanning, we mean that the skin color darkens. From a medical point of view,
suntanning is, in fact, the natural mechanism by which the skin protects itself. The suns rays that reach
the epidermis cause the melanocytes, that is, special cells in the epidermis, to produce melanin, which
is the colored compound (pigment) that makes the skin darker. Melanin provides the skin with natural
protection against solar damage. However, the amount of melanin that is produced in fair-skinned
people following exposure to the sun is relatively low and does not afford them adequate
protection, and they must take additional precautions against solar skin damage. In dark-skinned
people, the amount of melanin produced is higher and is consequently more effective. That is why
dark-skinned people often look younger than fair-skinned people of the same agein the former, the
skin changes less with age, and wrinkles and pigmented patches appear less frequently. Nevertheless,
even dark-skinned people should avoid excessive sun exposure. Tanning does afford the skin a certain
degree of protection, but usually not sufficient to prevent skin damage.
Sunburn
Apart from tanning, ultraviolet radiation also causes redness. The medical term for this redness is
erythema, and its appearance following exposure to the sun has nothing to do with melanin production.
Erythema begins soon after excessive exposure to ultraviolet lightsome four to six hours following
exposurereaching its peak around 24 hours thereafter. A mild burn (termed first-degree) is manifested
by redness with pain and sensitivity of the skin. A deeper burn (second-degree) appears following more
prolonged exposure to the sun and is manifested by the appearance of blisters, peeling, and severe pain.
The treatment of first-degree burns is based on cooling the burnt area by rinsing with water. Soothing
applications can also be used, such as those containing aloe vera. A second-degree burn (or a relatively
severe or widespread first degree burn) requires medical attention. In second-degree burns antibacterial
preparations, which inhibit or kill bacteria and prevent infection of the burn, may be used. Silver
sulfadiazine, an effective product for treating burns, is active against bacteria and cools and soothes the
burnt area. It may be used in cases of severe sunburn.
Vitamin D and the Sun
Vitamin D is needed by the body to build and strengthen bones. Recent research studies have
suggested that an appropriate amount of vitamin D may assist in preventing certain kinds of
malignancies and certain disorders of the immune system. Exposure to sunlight stimulates the
production of vitamin D in humans. It should be noted, however, that the amount of sunlight needed to
produce the vitamin D required by the body is minimal. Exposing a few square centimeters of skin for a
few minutes daily is sufficient. There are certain people who may lack vitamin D, however, especially
those living in northern countries, the elderly, the incapacitated, and people who intentionally avoid any
exposure to the sun for religious, medical, or any other reasons. Absolute avoidance of sun exposure is
definitely not desirable. On the other hand, worrying about an adequate supply of vitamin D is certainly
no justification for excessive sun exposure. This is especially important in people with extremely fair
complexions, those with a history of skin cancer, or those with evident sun-damaged skin. Low levels of
vitamin D can be rectified by the ingestion of tablets, along with a proper diet including foodstuffs
containing vitamin D.



LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SUN EXPOSURE: SKIN DAMAGE
The changes that occur as a result of exposure to the sun are not the same as those processes that
occur with natural aging of the skin are known technically as photoaging.
Effects on the Epidermis
Freckles: an uneven distribution of pigment in the skin in young people caused by prolonged
solar exposure.
Solar Lentigines: In older people, the solar exposure leads to the appearance of sun spots.
Benign tumors: solar keratosis.
Malignant tumors: malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Effects on the Dermis
The destruction of elastin and collagen fibers
Damage of the delicate blood vessels of the skin and the supporting tissues. The blood
vessels become more fragile, making them more prone to hemorrhages (bleeding) following
relatively minor injury.
The capillaries of the face may enlargea phenomenon known as telangiectasis.

What Does Sun Protection Factor Mean?

The effectiveness of a given SPF is measured in terms of the redness (erythema) that appears on the
skin following sun exposure. The concept of a minimal erythema dose is an expression of the minimal
amount of radiation that causes reddening of the skin. This radiation dose varies from person to person,
depending on his/her skin shade and type. For example, if it takes someone, without any sunscreen, 10
minutes of sun exposure to develop erythema, exposure to that same strength of sunlight by using a
sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will take 150 minutes (10 15) to develop erythema.

Considerations of Various Sunscreens
There are four main considerations when using a sunscreen: endurance on the skin, skin irritation,
eye irritation, and SPF.

1) Endurance on the skin According to the FDAs definitions:
A water-resistant product provides skin protection even after 40 minutes of immersion in (fresh)
water.
A waterproof product retains its protective capabilities after 80 minutes of immersion in (fresh)
water.
A product that does not lose more than 25% of its effectiveness after a 40-minute swim is
recognized as water-resistant.
A product that loses over 25% of its effectiveness after a 40-minute swim is not water-resistant.


2) Skin irritation
Skin sensitivity tends to be more of a problem with chemical sunscreens. In the past, para-
aminobenzoic acid was used in most sunscreens, but in recent years the trend has been to replace it
with other sunscreens of the oxybenzone and benzophenone groups, which cause fewer skin
irritations. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, generally do not cause skin reactions. In many
cases, skin sensitivity from contact with sunscreens is caused by other ingredients in the preparation,
such as the perfumes or preservatives, and not necessarily by the sunscreen itself.
3) Eye irritation
Stinging of the eyes is a common side effect experienced after applying a sunscreen. The stinging
sensation is most commonly related to irritation of the eyes from the fumes of the preparation. People
who encounter this problem should change to a different sunscreen (preferably a physical sunscreen
that contains titanium dioxide). In general, any sunscreen can cause irritation if it comes into direct
contact with the eyes, as a result of the user rubbing the eyes after applying the preparation, or because
the sunscreen is too runny. Water-resistant sunscreens tend to be less runny, and are recommended for
the area around the eyes.
4) Sun protection factor (SPF)
While until recently, SPF of 15 was considered to be optimal, many doctors now recommend using
preparations containing an SPF of 30 or greater. For people with skin type 1 or 2 and for certain people
at high risk (such as those with an increased risk of skin tumors) a preparation with an SPF of over 30
may be necessary. The recommended SPF depends not only on peoples skin types, but also on the
length of time they intend to be in the sun.
Note: A sunscreen is considered to afford effective protection only if it has an SPF of 15 or greater. A
sunscreen with SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB radiation. A sunscreen with SPF 30 blocks about 97%
of UVB radiation. In sunscreens with SPF higher than 30, the additional improvement in the protection
from ultraviolet radiation is minimal.

Sunscreens may be physical or chemical. Most sunscreen preparations contain both physical and
chemical sunscreens, and may be in the form of a cream, an ointment, an emulsion, a gel, etc.
Physical sunscreens prevent the suns rays from reaching the skin by reflecting and dispersing them,
as a mirror reflects light rays. The major component of physical sunscreens is a substance similar to talc
called titanium dioxide (anti-UVB) or zinc dioxide (anti-UVA) and Iron oxide (visible radiation).


Chemical sunscreens absorb ultraviolet rays, thereby preventing them from penetrating the skin. The
degree of absorption depends on the particular substance used and its concentration. Substances used
as chemical sunscreens are oxybenzone, benzophenones, and paraaminobenzoic acid (PABA).
These names can be found on the packages of different sunscreen preparations.
Sun Related Skin Pathology:
There are two main types of sun-related disorders: sun induced and sun aggravated. The sun induced
ones are the ones that start after the exposure to the sun. However, the sun aggravated diseases start
away from sun exposure and get worsened after exposure to the sun.
The sun induced disorders are diseases like Benign Summer Light Eruption or Sun Allergy, skin
ageing, Skin Cancer and Photosensitisation. These four are induced by the sun exposure. The sun
aggravated diseases are ones like Vitiligo, Acne and Rosacea (Mainly Couperosis) and other hyper
pigmentation disorders.
It has been proved that UVs play an integral part in accelerating the symptoms of skin ageing, especially
in fair skin. This is due to the fact that Phaeomelanin (the melanin in fair skins) is a strong inducer for
the production of free radicals.