At what age does most sun damage occur?

Author: Yesenia Cormier  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

When it comes to signs of sun damaged skin, like wrinkles or dark and pigmented spots, most people start noticing these issues as early as their mid-twenties to early thirties.

What age do you get most sun damage?

Dr. Beer: It's actually a myth that 80 percent of sun damage to the skin is done before age 18. Only about 23 percent of a person's lifetime exposure occurs by age 18. Adults over 40—especially men—actually have the highest annual exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Are 90% of visible signs of aging due to sun damage?

Since it occurs gradually, often manifesting itself many years after the majority of a person's sun exposure, premature aging is often regarded as an unavoidable, normal part of growing older. However, up to 90 percent of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.

How long does it take to get sun damage?

“Amazingly, the sun's UV rays can damage unprotected skin in as few as 15 minutes and it can take as long as 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure,” says Hageman. “That means you may not realize the damage being done until long after you've come in from the sun.

What time is the sun most damaging?

The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Limit exposure to the sun during these hours, even in winter and especially at higher altitudes. Do not burn. Sunburns significantly increase the lifetime risk of developing skin cancer, especially for children. Seek shade.

DermTV - At What Age Do You Get the Most Sun Damage [DermTV.com Epi #434]

What do 20 minutes of sunshine do to your body?

Research shows that spending time in the sun can increase your vitamin D levels, reduce your risk of certain health conditions, and improve your overall well-being. Experts recommend getting 10 to 30 minutes of sunlight most days of the week.

How many sunburns does the average person get?

The mean number of sunburns (among those reporting sunburn) ranged from 2.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.25–2.48) in 2010 to 2.62 (95% CI 2.39–2.84) in 2015. A higher percentage of non-Hispanic white adults experienced sunburn compared with other racial/ethnic groups (P <.

Can I reverse sun damage?

While medical professionals cannot reverse the effects of sun damage entirely, there are treatments that can help with collagen production, skin turnover, improvements in the appearance of dark spots and more. These include: Topical treatments containing retinol. Chemical peels.

Do you still get vitamin D with sunscreen?

Sunscreen prevents sunburn by blocking UVB light. Theoretically, that means sunscreen use lowers vitamin D levels. But as a practical matter, very few people put on enough sunscreen to block all UVB light, or they use sunscreen irregularly, so sunscreen's effects on vitamin D might not be that important.

Is 30 minutes in the sun enough to tan?

Is 30 minutes a day enough to tan? It depends on your skin type. Those with fair skin likely need a bit longer, while people with darker skin may only require 15-20 minutes daily. Start slow and gently build UV skin tolerance over multiple sessions for the best color development.

At what age does your face change most?

In your 40s, your ageing skin can become drier, making lines and wrinkles more pronounced. You continue to lose subcutaneous fat, but not equally from all areas. Fat pads around the cheeks and above the mouth are generally the first to go, followed by fat from around the sides of the mouth, chin and jawline.

Does avoiding the sun slow aging?

Even if a person avoids the sun, chronological aging will still occur naturally over time. There are other environmental factors that can cause visible aging , including smoking and air pollution.

What ages your face the most?

Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.

Is it too late to fix sun damaged skin?

Can sun damage be reversed? Once UV radiation changes your skin cells' DNA, the DNA damage can't be reversed. However, this doesn't mean that you can't change the appearance of your skin. You can treat, reduce and/or repair the effects of sun-damaged skin.

What is the average age for melanoma?

Age-specific incidence rates rise more steeply for females from age 20-24, but more steeply for males from age 55-59, then drop in the oldest age group. The highest rates are in the 85 to 89 age group for females and males.

How long does it take to get damage from looking at sun?

Permanent retinal damage can occur when someone looks at the sun for 100 seconds or less. This is under two minutes. Ultimately, how long it takes for damage to occur depends on several factors, such as the dilation of the pupil and the sun's intensity on that specific day.

What blocks vitamin D absorption?

Because vitamin D is fat soluble, its absorption depends on the gut's ability to absorb dietary fat [4]. Fat malabsorption is associated with medical conditions that include some forms of liver disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis [1,63].

What is the safest time to be in the sun?

This lead us to conclude that for optimal vitamin D synthesis at minimal risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), the best time for sun exposure is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thus, the common health recommendation (that sun exposure should be avoided between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and postponed to the ...

Can you absorb vitamin D through clothes?

To get vitamin D from the sun, exposure of your face, legs and arms (like sunbathing) is recommended for at least 15 minutes without sunscreen. Any clothing covering these areas will prevent vitamin D conversion in the skin.

What age does sun damage start to show?

Signs of photodamage begin in the teens to early twenties. Symptoms include the following: Wrinkling. Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines) and freckles.

Why do I not get sunburned as a white person?

Since the amount of melanin you can produce is determined by genetics, some people are more prone to burn, while others tan. Although any skin tone can burn, people with naturally darker skin are less likely to do so.

Does retinol repair sun damage?

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, works by encouraging cell turnover and increasing collagen production, both of which help set damaged skin cells on a healthier course. Available both over-the-counter and in prescription strengths, retinol works to combat nearly all of the signs of sun damage.

How badly does sunburn age you?

That's because the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) light that damages your skin and causes sunburn. Over time, these rays can lead to wrinkles, dark spots, and other problem areas. The result: You can add years to your looks. Research shows that UV exposure is the reason behind 80% of your skin's aging.

Is it bad if your sunburn turns purple?

Purpura is common in older people. It is called solar purpura because it occurs most often on areas that are exposed to the sun. The bruises bother some people because of how they look. But they aren't serious.

What not to put on sunburn?

Don't
  1. do not use petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin.
  2. do not put ice or ice packs on sunburnt skin.
  3. do not pop any blisters.
  4. do not scratch or try to remove peeling skin.
  5. do not wear tight-fitting clothes over sunburnt skin.

Previous article
How many years does CO2 laser take off your face?
Next article
Is it OK to use the same mask twice?