Although sunlight is essential for human life, daily exposure to the sun over a lifetime is a major cause of skin damage, including wrinkling and skin cancer. Many of the skin changes attributed to aging are in fact signs of sun-induced skin damage. Every year, more than 700,000 people in the United States get skin cancer. It is the most common form of cancer, with rates growing three to five percent annually. Left untreated, skin cancer can be life-threatening.
Any tan indicates skin damage.
Although a tan may give you some protection against sunburning, it will not fully protect you against wrinkling or skin cancer. Some people are especially vulnerable to the effects of the sun, such as fair-skinned individuals who burn easily and tan poorly or not at all. Of those who do tan well, the deeper the color of the tan, the more extensive the skin damage. Staying indoors is the best protection against getting sun-damaged skin. The hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are the worst times to be outside.