Glossary

UV rays and specifically UVAs provoke premature ageing of the skin, known by the term skin photo-ageing. The damage to the skin resulting from this sun-induced ageing adds to the effects of chronological ageing. Photo-ageing takes the form of skin alterations clinically characterised by wrinkles, roughness, a lack of elasticity, depigmentation or hyperpigmentation marks and a variety of benign, pre-malignant or malignant tumours.