Ah, summer! It’s time for backyard barbecues, days at the beach, swimming, pickleball, working in the garden, hiking, camping, road trips, and all manner of sun-drenched fun. Oh, the sun. It’s all fun and games until someone gets sunburned. Or a prickly skin rash from sun exposure. Or a mole that starts to look suspicious.
The sun is 93 million miles away, and our planet needs it to sustain life, but our human skin is susceptible to real and sometimes deadly damage from its UV rays. In addition to the most dreaded sun-related skin damage, skin cancer, skin damage from sun exposure and summer heat can take many other forms as well. Acne and eczema can get worse in the summer sun. So can psoriasis. And quite far from the myth of a “youthful-looking tan”, the most unfashionable sun-damaged skin condition is premature aging. Sun exposure can actually damage collagen and tiny blood vessels in the skin, making you look older than you really are. Your summer skincare routine must involve sun protection!
Top of Mind: Sun Protection is Critical for Skin Health
“Sun protection is crucial in managing skin health,” urges Mariacher. “When we are subjected to prolonged sun exposure, this increases our risk of photoaging (premature aging of the skin), development of pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions. Additionally, prolonged sun exposure can cause new rashes or worsen pre-existing skin conditions.”
Common Skin Conditions Worsened by Summer and Sun Exposure
Mariacher shares a long list of irritating and even dangerous skin conditions the sun can instigate, aggravate, and worsen if people don’t take proper sun exposure precautions. She urges people to become educated about these conditions and to learn how to adapt their summer skincare habits to protect their skin.
Sun Allergy
If you ever get a skin rash from sun exposure, you could have a type of skin sensitivity to sun exposure. There are more kinds than just one, but they usually present as an itchy, red rash on sun-exposed skin. Sometimes taking certain medications can trigger a reaction that presents as a sun allergy too. If you experience a “sun allergy” rash or hives, consult with your dermatology provider for a diagnosis and recommendations for personalized summer skin care tips that can prevent these problems.
Psoriasis
People with psoriasis can have conflicting experiences with sun exposure. While some patients experience a slight improvement in their symptoms, most experience just the opposite: sun-induced psoriasis flare-ups. “Repeated exposure and sunburn can lead some patients to experience more psoriasis complications,” says Mariacher.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Like some of our psoriasis patients, some of our eczema patients appear to have slight improvements after sun exposure, but most others get an even worse eczema skin rash from sun exposure. Mariacher warns again: “Repeated sun exposure increases our risk of sunburns and damage to the skin. This damage to the skin barrier can make eczema worse. Being in the heat can increase sweating, and we have seen this worsen the itch with eczema flares.”
Acne
Sun exposure can be problematic for our acne patients as well, says Mariacher.
“It can worsen acne by drying out the skin. When the skin dries out, the sebaceous glands in our skin overcompensate and overproduce an oily substance, called sebum. Excess sebum leads to more blemishes and acne breakouts. Additionally, some people may notice their acne scars and blemishes look worse following sun exposure. Some people with acne get hyperpigmentation (dark appearance of the skin), while others experience hypopigmentation (light appearance of the skin). So, the acne is more noticeable. Erythema (redness) and inflammation may also occur near acne lesions or scarring following sun exposure.”
Rosacea
For people with rosacea, the skin already looks red, flushed, and blemished. Adding sun damage to that can make it look and feel worse, explains Mariacher.
“UV and heat exposure can increase flushing and facial redness. Sun exposure can worsen skin inflammation and increase the number of telangiectasias, which are small, superficial dilated blood vessels within the skin.”
Melasma
Sun exposure can also exacerbate melasma, a condition where dark spots or patches emerge on the face that are darker than your normal skin tone. Many women experience this condition during pregnancy, but without dermatological care, it could be mistaken for other skin conditions.
“Melasma occurs when there is an increase in melanin production in the skin,” says Mariacher. “A patient who struggles with this condition will often notice that sun exposure worsens their condition. This is because UV rays stimulate increased melanin production in the skin. In turn, patients with melasma notice darkening of the skin on the face.”
Actinic Keratosis
Characterized by rough, bumpy, or scaly patches on the skin, actinic keratosis is an extremely common type of sun damage to the skin. They are precancerous, as Mariacher explains:
“Most often, these lesions are pink, rough, scaly patches of sun damage that develop on frequently sun-exposed skin. We call these lesions “pre-cancerous” because there are some of these lesions that can go on to become skin cancer if not treated.”
She adds that regular annual skin cancer screenings and skin cancer SPOT checks are important for watching patches of actinic keratosis so that if they turn into squamous cell skin cancer, they can be caught and treated early.
Skin Cancer (Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma)
Of course, the most dangerous form of sun-damaged skin is skin cancer. This is why all of our summer skincare essentials involve sunscreen and other forms of sun protection.
“Too much sun exposure and exposure to UV rays, or tanning beds, can severely affect skin cells and damage their DNA,” says Mariacher. “When this damage occurs, we see the development of skin cancer. Sun exposure is the single most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancer. So, adopting best sun protection practices is one of the best things you can do to lower your risk.”
Skin cancer statistics are both frightening and hopeful: One out of every five people will get some form of skin cancer before the age of 70, and at least two people die from skin cancer every hour. However, catching and treating skin cancer early can result in a 99% survival rate. So never hesitate to have a suspicious spot checked! Time is of the essence. Schedule a same-day SPOT check now if you see any spots on your skin that have recently grown or changed color or shape in any way.
Interview with a Dermatology Provider about Preventing Sun Damaged Skin
As you can probably tell, Apex Skin’s own Kendra Mariacher, PA-C is passionate about helping everybody avoid skin damage from sun overexposure. She is a member of both the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and she has a wealth of knowledge and advice for people who want to protect themselves from sun damage.
“I have been practicing medical dermatology for 4 years,” says Mariacher. “I previously worked for a health system in western Pennsylvania, before moving to Northeast Ohio in 2024. As mentioned, I have primarily practiced in medical dermatology, but I have, also, previously assisted in surgical dermatology.”
Tips for Managing Skin Conditions During the Summer
The bottom line, Mariacher says, is that “Prolonged sun exposure can damage the skin cells and skin barrier. In turn, this exposure and damage can worsen skin conditions, such as rashes, discoloration on the skin, and skin lesions. Adopt best sun protection practices now to protect your skin!”
She urges that every one of every skin tone and type adopt these summer skin care tips:
- Use gentle foaming cleansers appropriate for your skin type.
- Maintain adequate moisture within the skin using hydrating creams and lotions.
- Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, get a healthy amount of sleep, and stay active.
- Most urgently, avoid prolonged sun exposure, wear sunscreen, and adopt sun protection practices.
These practices can help everyone with any type of skin condition. “Prolonged sun exposure and sun damage can dry out the skin,” says Mariacher. She urges people who have sensitive skin, rashes, lesions, or other problems to schedule an appointment for individualized recommendations for cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens that will work best with their skin type and condition.
A Deep Dive into Sunscreen and Other Sun Protection Strategies
Mariacher often helps patients choose sunscreens that they can use to block UV rays from damaging exposed skin in the sun. There are many good sunscreens and sunblocks available for different skin types, including sensitive skin. However, she adds that there are many other strategies and tools people can use to keep their skin safe from the sun.
“Wearing sunscreen, sun protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and seeking shade can all help decrease the amount of sun damage we get moving forward,” she says. “These practices can decrease our risk of developing skin cancers in the future.”
How to Apply and Reapply Sunscreen for the Safest Skin
We often get questions about how to apply sunscreen, what kind to use, etc. “I recommend an SPF of at least 50+ to any sun-exposed areas, especially the face,” says Mariacher. “I also highly recommend a daily moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30+ throughout the year, even during the winter. But if you are going to be out in the sun for long periods, slather on additional SPF 50+ sunscreen.” There are also a few places people often forget!
How much you apply and when you apply it also matters, explains Mariacher. Don’t skimp on sunscreen. “A shot-glass size is the recommended amount of sunscreen to use for the whole body.” Apply it about half an hour before you go outside. And if you are out there for a long time, reapply the sunscreen every 80 to 90 minutes.”
Sunscreen Advice for People with Sensitive Skin
Sunscreen is especially important for people with sensitive skin, and here at Apex Skin, we carry sunscreens specially formulated for people with all kinds of sensitive skin.
“Use sun-protective cosmetics and sunscreens that are free from perfumes and dyes that can irritate sensitive skin,” says Mariacher. “Mineral-based sunscreens are a good choice, as are other ways of protecting the skin, like sun-protection clothing, hats, etc.”
Other Sun-Protection Tools to Avoid Sun-Damaged Skin
- Sun-protection clothing—Mariacher recommends investing in some good sun-protection clothing and accessories. “Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and swim shirts are a good idea,” she says. Look for clothing with a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of 50+. She also says some surprising things about the color choices for sun-protective clothing: “Dark and bright colored clothing offer more sun protection than lighter colors. Also, avoid “loosely-woven” fabrics like lace, as these will provide far less sun protection. The best fabrics for sun protection are polyester, nylon, and silk. These types of fabrics disrupt UV rays from reaching the skin. Thick fabrics like denim also offer great sun protection.”
- Sun hats—Wide-brimmed sun hats are also a favorite sun protection tool says Mariacher. “Choose a wide-brimmed hat, not just a ball cap, straw hat, or sun visor. A wide-brimmed hat with a high UPF rating should shade the face, ears, scalp, and neck.”
- Sun protection for your feet—“Wear shoes that cover the feet. This is helpful if you experience eczema or psoriasis on the feet. If you are wearing sandals or going barefoot, remember your sunscreen!”
- Sun-protection gloves—The hands are often exposed to the sun, so don’t forget to slather sunscreen on those as well. Gloves are a smart choice for people who work in the garden a lot or who drive long distances with the sun shining on their hands as they grip the steering wheel. Thick garden gloves can protect people from both sun damage and allergens that could cause summer eczema flare-ups. And sun-protective driving gloves are available for long-distance road trips.
- Sunglasses—UV rays can also hurt the eyes, as well as the sensitive skin around them, adds Mariacher. Make sure to choose bigger sunglasses that completely shade your eyes, and that the sunglasses have a label that says “100% protection against UVA and UVB rays” or “UV400”.
In addition to these strategies, you can also avoid going out during peak sun hours by staying indoors or in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Those hours are when the UV rays beaming down from the sun are the strongest.
Busting Sun Protection Myths and Misconceptions
Earlier, we mentioned the myth of a “youthful tan”, which in reality can become premature aging from sun exposure. But there’s more to sun myths than people generally realize.
Vitamin D vs. skin cancer—“Scientific literature supports that prolonged sun exposure does not provide a significant increase in a person’s vitamin D levels,” says Mariacher. “However, we do know that prolonged sun exposure will increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the future.” Vitamin D supplementation is a readily available way of keeping your nutrient levels high without increasing skin damage from sun overexposure.
Cloudy days and sun exposure—“Even if it’s cloudy, wear your sun protection,” says Mariacher. UV rays from the sun still penetrate the clouds and can reach and damage your skin.
Car windows vs. UV rays—Your car windows do not block out all the dangerous UV rays, and you can still get sun-damaged skin from just driving on a sunny day. Keep wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, even in the car.
Base tans—“There is truly no such thing as a “base” tan that protects you from the sun or sunburn,” warns Mariacher. “When we experience our skin darkening, or tanning, this is damage and trauma to our skin cells.”
“Anyone can get skin cancer,” says Mariacher. “Everyone should adopt best sun protection practices. Any skin tone, even those skin types that are less likely to burn, can be at risk for skin cancer and permanent sun damage to the skin.”
Hydration, Sun-Protection, and Summer Skincare
Keeping the skin hydrated over the summer is just as important as sun protection, urges Mariacher.
“Adequate hydration does play a role in healthy, moisturized skin. Hydration helps the skin to remain hydrated by retaining adequate moisture and aids in skin cell regeneration. I advise a daily moisturizer with sunscreen on the face and use hydrating creams and lotions after bathing to lock in moisture.”
Avoid Skin Damage from Sun Exposure and Get a Skin Cancer Checkup
Almost everyone has had a sunburn at some point or has some level of sun-damaged skin. Although you can’t go back and un-sunburn your past self, you can start today to protect your skin from further sun damage.
“Being proactive with your sun protection and skin health can help avoid worsening pre-existing skin conditions, it can help decrease photoaging and sun damage to the skin and decrease the number of skin cancers you may develop in the future,” says Mariacher. “Anything you can do moving forward to protect your skin can absolutely be of benefit!”
So, use your sunscreen, moisturizer, sun-protection clothing, and hats, and avoid peak sun hours to protect your skin. Also, get your skin checked regularly so that any possible skin cancer lesions are caught and treated early. Early treatment is the key to survival!
“We advise getting at least a yearly skin examination with a dermatologist,” says Mariacher. “However, I advise patients that if they ever have a new or changing lesion, we are always happy to see them right away for a SPOT check!”
Kendra Mariacher is a dermatology Physician Assistant certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is an Ohio and Pennsylvania state licensed Physician Assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania.
Kendra began her career as a physician assistant in 2020, working in dermatology, with Independence Health System in Butler, PA. Over the last three years, Kendra gained experience in medical and surgical dermatology. She has had the opportunity to diagnose and treat acute and chronic skin conditions in patients of all ages and perform skin cancer screenings.
