Can Chronic Sun Exposure Lead to Other Skin Disorders?
Yes, aside from cancer, chronic sun exposure can lead to several other skin disorders:
Actinic Keratosis: These are precancerous lesions that appear as rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas. Histologically, they show dysplasia of keratinocytes. Photoaging: Characterized by wrinkles, loss of skin tone, and pigmentation changes, photoaging results from the cumulative effect of UV radiation. The dermis shows signs of elastosis and collagen breakdown. Solar Lentigines: Also known as age spots, these are hyperpigmented lesions that result from increased melanin production in response to UV exposure.
