AGING SKIN

It is normal for people to notice the subtle signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes or creases in the brow region of the forehead. These are the typical places where people notice aging skin and become interested in skincare. From simply using skincare products to help retain moisture to minimally invasive treatments like Botox and dermal fillers, we can work together to ensure your skin is healthy and looking its best.

Skin changes over time, and the effects of environmental factors and skin conditions such as acne that may have caused scarring tend to have a lasting effect. One of the main environmental factors that influence the aging of the skin is sun exposure. The ultraviolet rays from the sun are known to cause age spots, premature wrinkling and damage to the DNA of skin cells which can lead to skin cancer. Other environmental factors that can cause premature aging are smoking, stress, gravity and poor diet.

Natural changes that occur as we age include:

• Rougher skin that is less able to retain moisture
• Dry skin and itching
• Loss of subcutaneous tissue beneath the skin causing wrinkles, fine lines and reduced volume
• Development of benign lesions or growths
• Bruises easily as the walls of the blood vessels and capillaries become thinner
• Loss of elastin and collagen
• Thinning of the epidermal layer

Complexions Dermatology is pleased to offer comprehensive care for your skin, from minor cosmetic issues to the serious health concerns of skin cancer. We recommend that patients follow prevention tips to reduce the harmful effects of the sun.

• Commitment to wearing sunscreen – applying sunscreen before going out into the sun and even on cloudy days outside can help reduce the risk of developing skin cancers. A broad-spectrum sunscreen applied generously throughout the day will help protect your skin from UV radiation known to be cancer-causing and prematurely aging.
• Seek shade or stay inside during peak hours of the day – The sun is the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, and you are most likely to get a sunburn during these hours. Planning activities before or after the peak hours will help avoid the damaging effects of UV radiation exposure.
• Say no to tanning beds – tanning beds have long been associated with an increased risk of skin cancer due to the UV rays emitted from tanning bed light bulbs. It is best to avoid tanning beds or use them as infrequently as possible.
• Protective clothing when working outside can help prevent UV exposure – This new trend in clothing utilizes a photoprotective material that is made into shirts and pants that help block UV rays.

We encourage all people to see a dermatologist yearly for an annual skin check. During these visits, we can detect precancerous lesions and the early signs of skin cancer. We may also perform biopsies to help determine if cancerous cells are present. The greatest advantage of the early detection of skin cancer is removing cancer before it has spread and cure it. If you have never seen a dermatologist or would like to schedule an annual skin screening, call Complexions Dermatology today at our Danville location (434) 792-0423 or our Colonial Heights location (804) 805-8442.