Reactive Oxygen Species From Sun’s Rays Initiates and Aggravates Skin Cancer and Wrinkles

Full range of ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause DNA damage to the skin leading to skin cancer. Testing on human skin cell lines, this study shows the action spectrum of ultraviolet damage in cells derived from both the upper layer (dermis) and lower layer (epidermis) of the skin.

Our skin ages due to the constant exposure to sunlight as UV radiation comprising UVA and UVB rays from the sun penetrate cells and increase the number of damaging free radicals, especially the reactive oxygen species.

Too many reactive oxygen species can be harmful because they can damage the DNA within our cells.

Over time, this can lead to the accumulation of DNA damage, particularly in mitochondria - the batteries of the cells - which speed up ageing and destroy the skin’s supportive fibers, collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles.

"Because we were able to analyze the full spectrum of UVA and UVB induced sunburn DNA damage in the batteries of human skin cells this is an invaluable tool for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and for anti-ageing studies," said professor Mark Birch-Machin from Newcastle University, England.

Studies strongly suggest the damage caused by reactive oxygen species may also initiate and exacerbate the development of skin cancers.

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Source-IANS