What commonly results from overexposure to sun?

Overexposure to the sun is known to cause various skin changes, with actinic lentigines being one of the notable outcomes. Actinic lentigines, also known as solar lentigines or age spots, are brown patches that develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin as a result of prolonged ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The increased production of melanin in the skin in response to UV radiation leads to these visible pigmentation changes.

Actinic lentigines typically occur in older adults or those who have had significant sun exposure over their lifetime, making them a reliable marker of sun damage. While thickened skin, hyperpigmentation, and an increased risk of skin cancer can also result from sun exposure, actinic lentigines specifically represent a direct consequence of UV light-triggered changes in the skin, particularly in the pigmentation process. Therefore, while all options relate to harmful effects of sun exposure, the most directly connected result of chronic sun exposure is the formation of actinic lentigines.