Photoaging of human skin
Open accessAbstract
Chronic sun exposure causes photoaging of human skin, a process that is characterized by clinical, histological and biochemical changes which differ from alterations in chronologically aged but sun‐protected skin. Within recent years, substantial progress has been made in unraveling the underlying mechanisms of photoaging. Induction of matrix metalloproteinases as a consequence of activator protein (AP)‐1 and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation as well as mutations of mitochondrial DNA have been identified recently. This has increased our understanding of photoaging significantly and has led to new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies aimed at the prevention and repair of the detrimental effects of chronic sun‐exposure on the skin.
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People with darker skin commonly have delayed and less extensive signs of photoaging as opposed to people with lighter skin.
“Due to these factors, people who have darker skin commonly have delayed and signs of photoaging to a lesser extent as opposed to people who have lighter skin [55].”
From A Comprehensive Review of the Role of UV Radiation in Photoaging Processes Between Different Types of Skin (2025) · cites this paper as [55]
The Photobiology section says that people with darker skin show clinical signs of photoaging much later than fair-skinned people, and explains that melanin protects skin cells from UV exposure. It does not specifically say that their signs are less extensive, so that part of the claim is not established by our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredReactive oxygen species produced by UV rays cause damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, causing disturbances in cellular function and aiding in premature aging of skin.
“Reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are produced by UV rays cause damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, causing disturbances in cellular function and aiding in the premature aging of skin [55].”
From A Comprehensive Review of the Role of UV Radiation in Photoaging Processes Between Different Types of Skin (2025) · cites this paper as [55]
The Photobiology section says UVA generates ROS that cause lipid peroxidation and DNA-strand breaks, while the Photoprotection section says oxidative stress plays a major role in photoaging. The cited passages do not establish ROS-mediated protein damage, so the full list of damaged molecules is not supported. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredExposure to UV radiation leads to an increase in oxidative stress, which leads to cellular damage.
“Being exposed to UV radiation leads to an increase in oxidative stress, which leads to cellular damage.”
From A Comprehensive Review of the Role of UV Radiation in Photoaging Processes Between Different Types of Skin (2025) · cites this paper as [55]
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- Authors
- Berneburg, M., Plettenberg, H., & Krutmann, J.
- Affiliations
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (DE)
- Venue
- Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2000-12
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 239-244
- ISSN
- 0905-4383 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0781
- OpenAlex
- W2045031994
- Cited by
- 403
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 1.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- European Commission
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- photoaging, chronic sun exposure, skin aging, matrix metalloproteinases, activator protein-1, nuclear factor-kappaB, mitochondrial DNA mutations, skin histology, skin biochemistry
- MeSH terms
- DNA, Mitochondrial, Humans, Skin, Sunlight, Ultraviolet Rays, Skin Aging, Matrix Metalloproteinases
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