L57: Skin changes due to chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation

The group of conditions under "Skin changes due to chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation" generally refer to the alterations in the skin's condition and appearance as a result of prolonged exposure to certain kinds of radiation, which are nonionizing. Nonionizing radiation sources include ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, or from artificial sources such as tanning beds or black light lamps. Typical symptoms and skin changes can range from mild, like skin dryness and wrinkling, to severe, like the formation of sunburn and skin cancer. Changes may also involve color alterations, such as darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) of the skin. Prolonged exposure can damage the skin DNA, leading to unpredictable growth of skin cells and overall accelerated skin aging. The level of damage and the aspect of the changes largely depend on the intensity, duration, and frequency of the radiation exposure.