Sun Damage

Understanding the Effects of Sun Exposure on Your Skin

Australia’s high levels of ultraviolet radiation mean that many people experience the effects of cumulative sun exposure over time.

Sun damage can affect the skin at a cellular and structural level, contributing to visible changes as well as increasing the risk of precancerous and cancerous skin lesions.

Pathogenesis

Pigmentation disorders can involve:

DNA Damage

UV radiation can damage the DNA within skin cells, contributing to premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Collagen & Elastin Breakdown

UV exposure promotes the breakdown of collagen and elastin, contributing to wrinkles, reduced firmness and loss of skin elasticity.

Pigment Dysregulation

UV exposure can stimulate melanin production and contribute to uneven pigmentation, dark spots and changes in skin tone.

Oxidative Stress

UV radiation generates reactive oxygen species that can damage skin cells and contribute to photoageing and other signs of sun damage.

Inflammation

UV exposure can trigger inflammatory responses in the skin, contributing to redness, cellular damage and the processes involved in photoageing.

Skin Immune Suppression

UV radiation can suppress immune responses within the skin, reducing some of its natural protective functions.

Over time, these changes can contribute to both photoageing and the development of sun-related skin conditions.

Types of Sun Damage

Sun damage can present in a number of ways, including:

Photoageing

Premature skin ageing caused by cumulative UV exposure, often resulting in wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity.

Solar lentigines

Flat, well-defined brown patches caused by long-term sun exposure, commonly known as sun spots.

Actinic keratoses

Rough, scaly areas of skin caused by cumulative UV damage. They can be a precursor to certain types of skin cancer.

Diffuse pigmentation

Uneven or widespread darkening of the skin resulting from cumulative sun exposure.

Telangiectasia

Small, visible blood vessels that can become more prominent with chronic sun exposure.

Solar elastosis

Changes to the skin’s supportive elastin fibres caused by long-term UV exposure, contributing to thickened, coarse or less elastic skin.

How Sun Damage Is Assessed

Sun damage may be assessed according to:

Severity of photoageing
Number and distribution of actinic keratoses
Pigmentation changes
Vascular changes
Changes in skin texture and elasticity
Individual skin cancer risk

Contributing Factors

The severity of sun damage can be influenced by:

Cumulative UV exposure
History of sunburn
Fair or sun-sensitive skin
High UV exposure
Inadequate sun protection
Certain photosensitising medications

Prevention

Preventing further UV damage remains an important part of long-term skin health. This includes:

How We Can Help

Sun damage can affect the appearance and health of your skin in different ways. Some changes may be primarily cosmetic, such as pigmentation, uneven texture and visible signs of photoageing, while others may require medical assessment.

At Fremantle Skin Cancer Clinic, we can assess sun-related changes to your skin and help determine the most appropriate next steps for your individual concerns. Depending on your skin and the findings of your assessment, this may include advice on managing visible sun damage, protecting your skin from further UV exposure or further investigation where required.

An important part of managing long-term sun damage is prevention and early detection. We encourage the Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide approach to sun protection, along with regular skin checks to monitor for new or changing spots and identify potential concerns early.

If a lesion or area of skin appears concerning, a medical assessment can help determine whether further investigation or treatment is required.