Most people understand that too much sun exposure damages skin, but what really is skin damage? Simply, skin damage is any dryness, burning, redness, peeling, itching, swelling, or blistering that occurs as a direct result of too much sun exposure. Skin damage includes any sun burn, as well as less obvious chronic exposures that happen to people working outside or driving every day. The skin has to heal itself after damage, just like with a wound. With repeated skin damage, the body can become unable to fully repair itself. This is long term skin damage that causes premature and excessive wrinkles, dry, spotted skin, and sometimes life-threatening cancer. Thankfully, skin damage can be prevented with attention to how long we are being exposed to damaging sunlight and by using sun screens, lotions, and chap-sticks that provide UV protection. Products and procedures you can use at home Immediate damage to the skin from sun exposure can be treated topically with aloe, lavender extract,...