Dangers of UV rays

The short-term risks of sun exposure are sunburn and sun allergy .

The longer-term risks (over decades) include:

  • actinic (solar) keratoses rough and scaly pre-cancerous spots on the skin
  • skin cancer including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer
  • eye problems such as photokeratitis (snow blindness) and cataracts
  • premature ageing of the skin and wrinkling
Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018