Effects of UV Exposure

What are the effects of UV exposure?
Exposure to UV rays is linked to a number of harmful effects to health and well-being:

• Skin Cancer
  According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 600,000 new diagnoses of non-melanoma skin cancer are likely to be reported in the US this year. Other agencies suggest that the estimated number of new cases of non-melanoma is closer to 1 million. The death rate from non-melanoma cancers is expected to be 1,900.
  
  For melanoma, the estimate for 1999 is 44,200 new diagnoses, with 7,300 deaths expected.

• Premature Aging (Photoaging)
  Sun exposure also causes premature aging of the skin -- called photoaging, which is different than chronological aging.

  • People who sunbathe regularly show photoaging early in life -- before 30 years of age. Chronologically-aged skin shows changes after age 40 or more.

  • Freckling, fine wrinkling, and dilation of capillaries are often seen early in the photoaging process.

  • Photoaged skin develops irregular pigmentation (liver spots) in later years.

  • Both photoaging and chronological aging cause wrinkling and loss of skin elasticity; however, they occur much earlier when skin has been overexposed to the sun.
    
    Sunscreens can help:
    Studies have shown that sunscreens can prevent UV-induced wrinkling. Animal studies demonstrated that sunscreens with good UVA coverage can prevent sagging and wrinkling due to high intensity UVA. Recent evidence indicates that daily sunscreen use decreases the elastic damage of actinically injured human skin.

• Cataracts and Other Eye Disorders
  Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness around the world, and UV exposure is one of the risk factors in the development of cataracts. Corneal sunburn, growths on the outer surface of the eye, and other eye diseases are also known or suspected to be related to long-term exposure to UV rays.

• Immune System Damage
  The skin is part of the body's natural defense system. Many health care professionals believe that UV radiation can alter immune system functions. When UV radiation suppresses immune responses, the body's ability to fight certain diseases, including skin cancer, is reduced. It is suspected that over-exposure to UV radiation also interferes with the effectiveness of immunizations given through the skin.

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