The sun may feel warm and comforting, but its rays can cause lasting damage to your skin. Sun damage occurs when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate the skin, with UVA rays reaching deep to break down collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging, while UVB rays target the surface, causing sunburn and DNA damage that raises the risk of skin cancer. Additionally, sun exposure generates free radicals—unstable molecules that accelerate aging and skin damage over time.