Oregon Esthetician State Board Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

Sun damage to the skin is primarily characterized by various visible changes resulting from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Common indicators of sun damage include wrinkles, freckles, and age spots. Each of these conditions reflects the skin's response to UV exposure.

Wrinkles occur due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, which gives it structure and elasticity. Freckles are small brownish spots that become more prominent with sun exposure, particularly in individuals with lighter skin types. Age spots, also known as liver spots or solar lentigines, appear as patchy areas of pigmentation that develop over time due to cumulative sun exposure.

In contrast, skin tone evenness is not associated with sun damage. Instead, even skin tone is a sign of healthy skin, indicating uniform pigmentation without excessive hyperpigmentation or discoloration. Therefore, the characteristic of skin tone evenness does not align with the consequences of sun damage, making it the correct answer to identify as "not considered a characteristic of sun damage."