Prolonged sunlight exposure disrupts skin’s biological clock and accelerates aging

AKIPRESS.COM – Scientists at the University of Manchester have concluded that long-term exposure to sunlight can disrupt the skin’s internal biological clock and accelerate the aging process. The findings of this study were recently published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

The researchers compared areas of skin regularly exposed to the sun with UV-protected zones on the same group of volunteers. Analysis revealed that chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation weakens the daily rhythms of gene activity responsible for cell repair and DNA protection.

The study found that sun-damaged skin suffers from a lack of coordination in its recovery processes, which typically reach their peak activity during the night. According to the authors, this disruption may explain the development of inflammation, photoaging, and the gradual breakdown of skin structure caused by ultraviolet rays.

Experts note that the skin, like other organs, possesses its own biological clock that helps it adapt to the transition between day and night. However, years of exposure to sunlight can literally reset these rhythms, impairing the skin’s natural ability to regenerate.