Exposure to ultraviolet radiation may alter the skin microbiota of individuals taking vacation—who frequently exhibit sun-seeking behaviors and ignore sun-protective practices—in under 7 days, according to a recent study published by Willmott et al in Frontiers in Aging. In the study, researchers analyzed the skin microbiota of 21 individuals who vacationed for at least 7 days. The researchers collected skin swabs before and up to 84 days after the vacations and grouped patients by individual typology angles (an analysis that classifies skin types as very light, light, intermediate, tan, brown, or dark). They found that 1 day and 28 days after the vacations, bacterial diversity in the phylum Proteobacteria and microbial beta diversity, respectively, decreased compared with diversity prior to the vacations. Although microbial diversity recovered over time, the researchers concluded that short amounts of intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation were capable of impacting skin microbiota composition and diversity—and could lead to adverse skin effects in the long term.