Youth who actively get too much sun today may find that 20 years later they increase their risk of getting skin cancer. Preventive action is important since 80 percent of sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. UVA rays cause pigment in the skin to darken and cause skin aging. UVB rays cause redness, burning and blistering. These rays are most directly linked to skin cancers.
Skin cancer is caused by excessive and long-term exposure to the sun.
The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Basal cell cancer is the most common skin cancer, followed by squamous cell. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Too much exposure to the sun may lead to other skin problems, cataracts and other eye damage, and immune system suppression. Depending on your skin type, the time of year and amount of sun exposure you get determines whether you will burn or tan.