What is the primary layer beneath the epidermis where UV energy degrades the skin's essential firmness proteins?
Answer
The dermis
The most critical structural damage caused by penetrating UV radiation occurs deep within the skin’s architecture, specifically in the dermis. This layer houses the fibroblasts responsible for producing the foundational proteins necessary for skin strength and recoil. When UV energy degrades the collagen and elastin matrix located here, the resulting weakening is silent at first but eventually leads to visible signs like pronounced sagging and deep-set furrows that surface years after the initial insult.

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