What are the potential long-term effects of UV exposure?

The long-term effects of UV exposure are well-documented and can be quite serious. UV radiation, particularly from the sun or tanning beds, can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. This risk arises because UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells. Over time, such damage can accumulate and potentially lead to cancerous changes.

In addition to cancer, frequent and prolonged UV exposure contributes to skin aging, characterized by wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and pigmentation changes, often referred to as "photoaging." This is due to the breakdown of collagen and the formation of free radicals in the skin, which accelerates the aging process.

Furthermore, UV exposure can cause direct DNA damage, leading to mutations that may compromise the integrity of skin cells and their ability to function normally.

In contrast, although some of the other listed options mention benefits or mitigations of UV exposure, they do not align with established findings regarding the detrimental effects associated with UV radiation over time.