The association of the sun’s UV radiation to skin cancer development is well documented. Severe sunburns during childhood and cumulative sun exposure has been proven to be important factors in the development of skin cancers.
It is also an established cause of photoaging. Case reports corroborate the association of visible light that comes from the sun with photodermatosis and is now an increasingly recognized trigger of pigmentation.
Infrared or heat from the sun and heat generated as a result of UV and light interaction with skin tissue also causes pigmentation like melasma especially in skin of color. It is also damaging to the collagenous support of the skin and contributes to sagging and atrophy.