What is a common side effect of excessive sun exposure on the skin?

Excessive sun exposure leads to various harmful effects on the skin, and one of the most notable is pigmentation changes. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, it can stimulate the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. This increased melanin production can result in tanning, but it can also lead to uneven skin tone or dark spots, commonly referred to as hyperpigmentation. Over time, continual damage from the sun can further exacerbate these pigmentation changes, contributing to conditions such as age spots or melasma.

In contrast, increased elasticity is not a commonsense response to sun exposure; rather, excessive UV radiation can actually lead to skin damage and a decrease in elasticity over time. Similarly, rapid healing is not associated with sun exposure – in fact, sunburns can slow healing processes and damage the skin structure. Lastly, rather than reducing the risk of skin cancer, excessive sun exposure significantly increases the risk due to the cumulative effects of UV radiation, which can lead to mutations in skin cells.