Health Effects of Ultraviolet Radiations

Damage to the skin caused by the ultraviolet radiations emitted by the sun is cumulative in nature. It builds up to long-term damage to your skin cells, leading to wrinkled and hard skin, loss of skin elasticity and dark patches (called 'age spots'). It may also lead to sunburns - especially during summers.

Increased exposure to Ultraviolet radiation can cause several painful, albeit temporary, injuries to the eye, known as photo conjunctivitis or photokeratitis. This results in inflammation of the cornea and/or conjunctiva within a very short period of time. That is why it is advisable to wear sunglasses to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation, as it may cause clouding of the lenses, loss of vision or even cancer of your eyelids.

Excessive exposure to the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun leads to weakening of your body's immune system (which protects your body against diseases). It also increases the risk of infection, as it reduces the body's resistance to bacteria or other harmful viruses, often resulting in lesions or in extreme cases, skin cancer.

It is generally believed that those with darker skin need not be worried about the harmful effects of the UV rays as they have a higher level of melanin, a pigment considered beneficial in protecting you from skin cancer. However, it is merely a misconception, as instances of skin cancer are found in dark-skinned people as much as it is found in fair-skinned people.