If you’ve spent many unprotected years in the sun’s rays, it could be catching up with you. Ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate deep in the skin and break down collagen while inhibiting the production of healthy elastin. If you have been skipping out on the sunscreen (always apply!), here are five signs to tell if your skin has become victim to sun damage:
Exposure to the sun leaves your face feeling dry and dehydrated. The sun soaks the moisture and natural oils out, leaving your facial skin itchy and flaky. This is likely to be one of the first problems you encounter with sun damage.
Sun damage is the main cause of irregularities in the texture of your skin. The depletion of collagen leaves your skin thick, leathery and brittle. UV rays can also cause other abnormalities within the skin, which include cancer and pre-cancerous growths.
Age spots, also known as liver spots, are the result of the sun’s UV rays. These brown, black and even sometimes gray patches tend to appear where your skin is most exposed. The common areas where age spots are found are the face, arms, shoulders and hands.
The sun’s rays break down the structural walls of blood vessels in your face. As more of the vessels are broken and ruptured, redness and broken capillaries arise.
Wrinkles and fine lines appear because of the breaking down of collagen and elastin within your skin. As your skin endures repeated contact with the sun’s rays, deeper folds and wrinkles develop, commonly around the eyes and mouth.
