Sun-Kissed… or Sun-Stressed?

It’s summertime, and many of us are enjoying some fun in the sun! It’s great for our social lives, our emotional health, and even our physiological processes. But it can do more damage than just a sunburn.

Most of us recognize the usual suspects when it comes to sun damage – the burn that sneaks up on you after “just 15 minutes,” the post-burn peeling that follows, and those dark spots that seem to deepen overnight. However, the real story unfolds beneath the surface, where ultraviolet rays can quietly trigger a chain reaction of cellular stress and long-term damage.

Understanding how the sun interacts with your skin – not just at the surface, but deep down at the structural and cellular level – can help you protect what keeps you glowing.

The Sun Isn’t All Bad

We often hear about how the sun can cause skin damage, and in that sense, it has a bad reputation. But we need the sun’s rays to stay healthy.

One of the most well-known benefits is that getting some sunshine helps our bodies produce vitamin D. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Essential for calcium absorption, it helps develop strong bones and teeth. Without enough vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.

The vitamin D we get from sun exposure also supports immune function, helps regulate mood, and influences cell growth. Some research even suggests this potent vitamin may have protective effects against certain cancers and autoimmune diseases. A lack of vitamin D is common in our modern lifestyles and can lead to fatigue, bone pain, increased risk of infections, and even mood disorders like depression. 

Beyond the major role in vitamin D production, moderate exposure to sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythm (our body’s internal clock that controls sleep-wake cycles). It triggers the release of serotonin (one of our body’s chemicals that regulates mood). The key being moderation.

Too Much of a Good Thing

We know we need the sun, but excessive exposure can cause serious damage. The main harmful component is ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which comes in two types that reach our skin: UVA and UVB.

When the skin is exposed to excessive UVB radiation, it triggers inflammation, resulting in symptoms such as redness, pain, and sometimes swelling and blistering, as seen in a sunburn. At the cellular level, UVB rays damage the DNA in skin cells. DNA carries the genetic instructions that tell cells how to grow and divide. When DNA is damaged, cells can either die or mutate, potentially leading to skin cancers like melanoma.

The skin has three main layers, and the sun affects them in different ways. The epidermis is the outermost layer – the one that gets the creams and potions we so diligently apply to maintain our youth. It acts as a protective barrier. When we get too much love from the sun, namely the UVB rays, we end up with sunburn and DNA damage in the cells.

The dermis is just below the epidermis, and it contains collagen and elastin fibers that give our skin strength and elasticity. UVA rays penetrate deeper into this layer and break down collagen fibers by generating free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells and proteins. This contributes to premature aging, sagging, wrinkles, and rough texture, as well as the dreaded “C” word – cancer.

The deepest layer is the hypodermis, which is primarily fat and connective tissue. The sun has a hard time penetrating this layer, but chronic sun damage can weaken the overall skin structure over time.

When you are over-exposed to the sun and you don’t take care of your skin, the damage compounds over time. Your skin becomes less efficient at repairing itself, collagen continues to degrade, and abnormal cell changes may go unchecked, setting the stage for visible aging and increasing the risk of skin disorders that don’t appear until years later.

Balance and Moderation

What is the “right amount” of sun exposure? Well, that’s different for everybody, and it depends on several factors: skin type, geographic location, time of day, and season. For most people, short daily exposure – about 10 to 15 minutes on arms and legs without sunscreen – is enough for vitamin D production. Darker skin tones may need longer exposure because higher melanin levels reduce UV penetration. Conversely, fair-skinned individuals shouldn’t remain in the sun as long due to increased susceptibility to burns.

Also, keep in mind that UV intensity peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so sun exposure during these hours carries a higher risk of damage. Early morning or late afternoon sun is gentler and still contributes to vitamin D synthesis.

What About Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a good thing – again, in moderation. Sunscreen provides a barrier to UV radiation, protecting skin from burns and long-term damage. A broad-spectrum version with SPF 30 or higher is recommended for individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors.

However, there are nuances:

• Sunscreen should not be seen as a free pass to stay in the sun all day. 
• Some studies suggest that very high SPF sunscreens may slightly reduce vitamin D production, but the benefit of skin protection often outweighs this concern.
• Sunscreen ingredients can vary; mineral-based formulas (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are often recommended for sensitive skin or daily use.
• Reapplication every two hours and more often after swimming or sweating is important for effectiveness.

Besides sunscreen, wearing hats, UV-protective clothing, and seeking shade are effective ways to reduce UV exposure without missing out on the sun’s benefits.

Get Beyond Skin Deep

UV damage doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. After sun exposure, your skin can continue to experience oxidative stress – a chain reaction of cellular damage triggered by free radicals. This delayed reaction leads to ongoing harm beneath the surface, and the effects of sun damage are often difficult to reverse.

That’s where targeted skincare makes a difference. Bentley Medical & Aesthetics utilizes advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technologies such as SkinPen®, Microneedling with PRF, Hydrafacial®, microdermabrasion, and more. Whether you’re dealing with sun damage, signs of aging, or simply want to maintain a healthy, radiant complexion, we’ll assess your skin’s unique needs and deliver personalized treatment options.

Don’t wait for damage to surface. Let’s restore, protect, and elevate your skin from the inside out, and don’t forget to check out our medical-grade skincare lines!