Does your skincare routine include using sunscreen? If the response is negative, that ought to alter right now. Not everyone who doesn’t wear sunscreen will experience skin burns. Some people are able to spend an entire day in the sun without ever having to face the unpleasant reality of sunburn. However, the harsh truth of not wearing sunscreen may finally catch up with you. Despite appearances, not wearing sunscreen is far more harmful than most people realize. See what happens to your skin when you don’t wear sunscreen.
Tanned Skin
This one is obvious, but some people don’t realize how quickly skin
can tan — and the more you tan your skin, the more you are directly
impacting your skin’s health simultaneously. Skin begins to show the
appearance of “tanning” when the melanocyte cells in the epidermis layer
of your skin begin producing a darker hue.
Leathery Feel
As stated, melanocyte cells in the epidermis layer of the skin is
what gives the appearance of a tan. The lower level of the epidermis
also acts as a protectant against UV ray exposure. So as you are
tanning, the top layer of the epidermis begins to thicken as the lower
level is pushing cells upward — like cells coming to defense like armor,
in a sense. So as your skin gets darker, you are actively making your
skin tougher — literally. This is why some people who tan regularly
begin to have a leathery skin type, both in touch and appearance.
Sunburn
We all know this is pretty common for many people to experience
sunburn while tanning. If you have the skin type that easily sunburns,
then it is basically a guarantee that you are experiencing skin damage
with every red blotch of skin. Most times sunburn is mild and will heal
within a few days to a week. But if you get a really nasty case of
sunburn, you could actually incur second degree burns. If this is the
case, your skin can be burned below even the top layer of skin, the
epidermis. You dermis level can be severely damaged, and skin can begin
to blister and scab, and even appear wet. If your sunburn is this
drastic, it could take several weeks to heal.
More Moles and Freckles
Although we all naturally have moles, some skin tones are more prone
to developing a greater number of moles or freckles as a result of
over-exposure to the sun. This happens when melanocyte cells begin to
clump together. Fair-skinned people are more susceptible to mole
development from soaking up the sun, which can be dangerous if those
moles become abnormal.
Pre-mature Aging
One of the most obvious consequences of not protecting your skin
while baking in the sun is pre-mature aging. Consistently leaving your
skin under the heated microscope of the sun’s rays for an extended
number of years will definitely add more years onto your skin’s
appearance. Sunscreen is said to be one of the best anti-aging tools you
need in your arsenal.
Wrinkles and Dark Spots
Going years without wearing sunscreen will actually change the entire
texture and feel of your skin in so many ways. Significant fine lines
and wrinkles can begin to develop after time. You could potentially
experience dark spots or discoloration in different areas of your skin.
Potential Skin Disease
Unfortunately, after prolonged over exposure to the sun and dangerous
UV rays, it is highly possible to develop skin diseases as a result.
Carcinoma and melenoma are both types of skin cancer that can develop
because of skin damage from sun overexposure. This is another reason why
utilizing sun screen is so critical — it can truly be life saving.