A lot of skinfluencers and experts out there will have you thinking that all forms of sun damage are permanent in terms of our skin’s health, but that isn’t necessarily true, particularly when it comes to damage caused by UVA rays (the damage that doesn’t present as sunburn). Ifeoma Ejikeme, a CeraVe consultant dermatologist, explains, “Some forms of sun damage, such as hyperpigmentation, dry skin, visible pores, fine lines, redness and uneven skin tone, can be reversed. The more significant the sun damage, the more products and treatments may be needed. If sun damage is very severe, it may not be possible to significantly improve the skin.”
When it comes to the DNA damage caused by sunburn, however, we’re sorry to say that damage is very much permanent. “Sunburn is the main short-term harmful effect of excess sun exposure. This painful, swollen and red reaction, which can blister when extreme, is caused by UVB. UVB only penetrates as far as the top layer of the skin and can cause sunburn. It directly damages the DNA in our skin cells and increases the risk of skin cancers further down the line. Although some of this damage is repaired by DNA repair pathways, if the damage is excessive, it will accumulate and increase our risk of skin cancer,” reveals Hiva Fassihi, a consultant dermatologist for La Roche-Posay.
Tagged: skin