If you think your skin is in great shape, think again. If you have freckles or just a tan, then you probably have sun damage. In fact, a tan - your skin darkening as a result of sun exposure - is sun damage, according to dermatologists. That golden color is considered an injury to the epidermis; it's true what they say about no such thing as a safe tan. Of course if you take it one step further and get a sunburn, then that hurts skin further and puts you at risk for skin cancer later. Other symptoms of sun damage might include freckles that develop months or years after baking in the sun. Freckles don't pose any health risk, but some skin cancers can resemble freckles in the early stages. It's best to get the dermatologist to check out any new brown spots that look like freckles when you notice new ones. Age spots are similar but more noticeable.