Yes, we all now understand that too much exposure to the sun's harmful rays can be damaging to our skin. What the majority of us don't understand is that not all of the UV rays projected from the sun are detrimental to our skin.

Perhaps even more telling is the lack of general awareness regarding the differing way in which the harmful elements of the sun's rays degenerate our skin cells. If you are concerned about the health and condition of your skin , the following is of utmost importance.

NOT ALL SUN EXPOSURE IS BAD

The sun's biggest and most vital benefit to the human body is often ignored. That is, short UVB rays are a primary deliverer of Vitamin D. So why is Vitamin D needed? Vitamin D protects and increases the survival rates against a wealth of internal cancers such as colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as many other diseases.

NOT ALL SUN EXPOSURE IS GOOD

To even the kilter a little, it is important to note that exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging, along with a plethora of other skin changes.

UV radiation is the chief instigators of:

Collagen breakdown - causing the formation solar scars and increasing the development of wrinkles

Free radicals - which damage cell function and alter genetic material such as RNA and DNA of the cell, therefore increasing wrinkles.

Texture Changes Caused by the Sun - causing a thickening of the skin that enhances coarse wrinkles and yellow discoloration of the skin; in addition to a thinning of the skin that causes fine wrinkles, easy bruising, and skin tearing.

Pigment Changes Caused by the Sun - enhances the occurance of freckles, and age spots or liver spots on the backs of the hands, chest, shoulders, arms, and upper back.

IT CAN INCREASE THE ONSET OF CANCER

Whereas the more dangerous effects of UV radiation include:

Skin Bumps Caused by the Sun - put another way, an increased number of moles and precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses, as well as seborrheic keratosis which appear as warty lesions stuck onto the skin.

Skin Cancer Caused by the Sun - such as the 3 main skin cancers: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. All of which are potentially fatal.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR SUN DAMAGED SKIN

The simplest means of protecting against sun damaged skin is to avoid any unnecessary exposure to the sun's harmful rays. Furthermore, there are a number of natural skincare creams available that assist in fighting the harsh damage caused by the sun.