If you think your skin is in great shape, think again. If you have freckles or just a tan, then you probably have sun damage. In fact, a tan – your skin darkening as a result of sun exposure – is sun damage, according to dermatologists. That golden color is considered an injury to the epidermis; it’s true what they say about no such thing as a safe tan. Of course if you take it one step further and get a sunburn, then that hurts skin further and puts you at risk for skin cancer later. Other symptoms of sun damage might include freckles that develop months or years after baking in the sun. Freckles don’t pose any health risk, but some skin cancers can resemble freckles in the early stages. It’s best to get the dermatologist to check out any new brown spots that look like freckles when you notice new ones. Age spots are similar but more noticeable.

Called “solar lentigines” by dermatologists, these appear as gray, brown or black flat spots in areas most exposed to the sun – the face, arms, shoulders and chest. As you age, loose, sagging skin may appear as the result of ultraviolet radiation breaking down connective tissues such as collagen and elastin. These conditions may not lead to skin cancer, but some symptoms of sun damage can, such as actinic keratoses, which appear as rough, red, scaly spots in areas most exposed to the sun, such as the face. It can progress to a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. If you think you might have symptoms of skin cancer, see a dermatologist immediately. In the meantime, protect your skin every time you go outside with sunscreen. A vitamin supplement with antioxidants such as skin-boosting vitamins A, C and E may help repair skin and keep it healthy in the future.