What are the Effects of UV Radiation on Skin Cells?
UV radiation primarily affects the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. It can cause direct damage to DNA, leading to mutations and the formation of pyrimidine dimers. This can disrupt normal cell function and lead to uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer. Additionally, UV exposure can damage collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis, leading to photoaging.
