Let's Talk About Sun Damage

Here, a top dermatologist in Singapore shares what happens to the skin when sun overexposure has occurred, and how to best manage its effects.

- Amy Greenburg

The ageing process is not only natural, but inevitable, explains dermatologist DR ANGELINE YONG of Angeline Yong Dermatology. There’s also no way to effectively rid yourself of all signs of this natural biological phenomenon, which is known as intrinsic ageing.

“Intrinsic ageing is a genetically determined process that is affected by degenerative effects of hormonal shifts, free radicals and the body’s inability to repair skin damage. Skin that displays signs of intrinsic ageing is smooth, pale and will feature fine wrinkles,” she says.

However, the other type of ageing process, called extrinsic ageing, is something you do have some control over.

“Extrinsic ageing describes premature skin ageing in chronically photodamaged skin. It’s a result of lifestyle and environmental factors, mostly from prolonged exposure to the sun,” says Dr Yong. “Characteristics of severe photodamaged skin include severe wrinkling and changes in pigmentation.”

Premature ageing, she says, occurs because continuous exposure to UV radiation can overwhelm the body’s defences, causing problems within the DNA strands, stem cells and living tissues. Wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (pigment changes such as freckles, sun spots and melasma) themselves won’t likely pose threats other than cosmetic concerns and a possible hit to one’s self-esteem, But, the DNA changes in the skin caused by UV radiation can lead to more serious, irreversible complications such as the development of skin cancer.