Sun Effects on Skin

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Description

The skin uses sunlight to manufacture vitamin D for normal bone formation. Melanin protects skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can burn and reduce skin elasticity and cause premature aging. Suntanning occurs when exposure to sunlight causes your skin to produce more melanin, darkening you. The suntan fades as new skin cells move toward the surface and slough off. Sunlight is beneficial in limited amounts and with proper protection from overexposure. Too much exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn. If UV rays penetrate outer skin layers and pass into the deeper layers, they can damage or kill skin cells. People who have little melanin and who sunburn easily should protect themselves by covering up sensitive areas, wearing sun block, limiting their total exposure time, and limiting sun exposure between the hours of 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. Frequent and prolonged exposure to UV rays over many years is the chief cause of skin cancer, a condition considered curable if detected early.