none of us are capable of escaping the natural aging process.as we grow our skin will naturally become thinner and less elastic.
we will notice
fine lines and wrinkles as a result of the aging process and existing birthmarks, scars and moles may also be natural, but there are factors that can accelerate the aging of our skin, the primary factor being sun damage.
many of us enjoy the outdoors. yet time spent under the sun can mean excessive exposure to uv rays that results in premature aging, not to mention an increased risk of skin cancer. the aging is associated with dry leathery skin discolouration, rough texture and deep wrinkles.
damaging on it’s own, sun exposure has an increased effect on aging skin. though there are numerous
skin care products available to combat the signs of aging and the r=effects of the damage, tropical solutions may not be effective in every situation. sometimes, what is needed is specialized treatment.
exposure to ultraviolet (uv)light from the sum=n can cause premature skin cancer and other conditions such as:
- skin texture changes, such as coarse wrinkles especially on the back f the neck and fine wrinkles caused by thinning of the skin especially on the forearms and back of the hands
- white spots on legs, arms and the back of hands.
- red areas on the sides of the neck
- moles, some of which can develop into skin cancer.
- pre-cancerous skin changes, including red scaly lesions called actinic keratosis and lesions on the lips called a ctinic cheilitis, both of which can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
the summer sun beckons many people outdoors. soaking up some rays on a warm summer day can be a great to unwind and get a little color.it’s not always easy to recognize signs of sun damage when spending time outdoors in the summer, especially people who lay out in the sun hoping to get a fan. such damage may be overlooked or more evident in the fall, when people begin spending more time indoors. but sun-damaged skin should not be taken lightly.in fact, the skin cancer foundation notes that the vast majority of melanomas, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, are caused by the sun. the scf even notes that one study from research in the united kingdom found that 86%of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to the ultraviolet or uv radiation from the sun.
that sun damage can lead to skin cancer. going outdoors without adequate protection makes skin vulnerable to sun-related damage. learning to recognize three of the more common types of sun damage may control people, visit physicians and take potentially life saving steps to prevent future damage.
symptoms of sun damage:
wrinkles:
wrinkles aren’t always a byproduct of aging,while the mayo clinic notes that skin becomes less elastic and more fragile as it ages, increasing the likelihood that wrinkles also can indicate
sun damaged skin.
according to the aap,
age spots, which are flat brown, gray or black on the skin, appear on areas of the body that are often exposed to the sun, including the face and hands.the aad notes that what looks like an age spot could actually be skin cancer. if any such spots are detected men and women should see a board. certified dermatologist for a thorough skin exam.
loose skin:
loose skin is sometimes a byproduct of aging, but it also can be indicative of sun damage. various products claim to treat loose skin,but the aad notes that
facelift like results likely won’t come from any product sold in a jar. for example, the aad says results from skin-firming creams will be subtle at best.
products that contain a retinoid which can help make more collagen, might produce minor results.
there are several considerations we make when we design treatment for photoaging, including:
- the age,health and medical history of the patient
- the severity of damage present on the skin
- the type of damage caused by sun exposure.
- the patient’s tolerance and preferences.
there are various lasers that can be used to improve the look and feel of the skin. photodynamic therapy,which directs pulses of intense light to skin treated with a photosensitizing agent, has been shown in clinical trials to be an excellent choice for the treatment of problems associated with varying degrees of sun damage. laser treatment for
sun damaged skin offers several benefits including:
- noticeable improvement after a single treatment
- non-ablative, non-invasive treatment is virtually painless
- sessions are completed in just a few minutes.
- excellent outcomes from treatment
- customized care through multiple treatments.
lasers are effective of addressing a wide range of concerns related to sun damage without requiring down time for recovery. these gentle treatments allow patients to resume normal
activities right away. depending on the extent of the damage identified during the initial consultation we may recommend multiple treatment sessions for optimal results. the effects of the sun and age does not have to leave you dissatisfied with your skin.
prevention:
the most effective way to prevent sunburn is to reduce the amount of uv radiation reaching the skin.the world health organization (who), american academy of
dermatology and skin cancer foundation recommend the following measures to prevent excessive uv exposure and skin cancer;
- limiting sun exposure between the hours of 10am and 4pm, when uv rays are the strongest.
- seeking shade when uv rays are most intense.
- wearing sun-protective clothing, including a wide brim hat, sunglasses and tightly woven, loose fitting clothing
- avoiding tanning beds and artificial uv exposure.
the primary measure of treatment is avoiding further exposure to the sun.the best treatment for most sunburns is time. most sunburns heal completely within a few weeks.
- for pain relief, take cool baths or showers frequently.
- use soothing moisturizers that contain aloe vera or soy
- anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin can help with pain.
- keep hydrated and drink extra water
- do not pop blisters on a sunburn.instead let them heal on their own
- protect sunburned skin with loose clothing when going outside to prevent further damage while not irritating the sunburn.