Tanned Skin May Look Cool But Can Lead to Skin Ageing and Even Cancer

Some people can kill for that bronze-like skin colour or the so-called dusky look. So much is the craze that they don't mind spending hours sun tanning. While people around the world hit the beach or poolside to get a beautiful skin tan, a recent study claims that this obsession can cause major skin damage in the long run. Wrinkles and sagging skin are two of the most significant repercussions of the skin tanning routine most people willingly undertake. In a statement released by the American Academy of Dermatology, Arianne Shadi Kourosh from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, US said that the ultraviolet radiation from the sun and indoor tanning beds tend to increase the risk of skin cancer and also contribute to skin ageing.

The statement further read, "Moreover, other forms of radiation, such as heat and visible light, can negatively impact the skin, as can pollution, so protecting your skin from the environment can benefit both your health and appearance,"

Further elaborating the significance of an apt sunblock cream Karoush asserted, that since both kinds of Ultra Violet rays- long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and short wave ultraviolet B (UVB)-canbe equally damaging to the skin. It is essential for one to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that provides both UVA and UVB protection, with an Sun Protection Factor(SPF) of 30 or higher.

These harmful rays are not at all good for an exposed skin and can damage the skin in multiple ways. UVB rays can cause sunburn and uneven pigmentation, whereas UVA and infrared radiation penetrating deeper into your skin can further damage existing collagen and reduce collagen production, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin, Karoush added.

Not only this, habitual UV exposure can also lead to blood vessels becoming more prominent, which would increase skin redness. Apart from this, visible light and air pollution can cause uneven skin tone.

Inputs from IANS