SUN DAMAGE

If you have spent time in the sun as a child or a teenager, chances are you have experienced a sunburn. When the skin turns pink, red and painful, the damage from sunburn has been done. The ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun is what causes damage to the skin. While there are other health benefits from sun exposure such as Vitamin D, excess exposure to UV light damages the DNA bond in skin cells. Sun damage has a cumulative effect and having one or more sunburns increases your risk of developing skin cancer. One of the most obvious effects of sun damage is premature aging. Excessive sun exposure can add years to your appearance.

Over time, exposure to sun can sun damage to your skin such as:

• Wrinkles
• Increased sun spots or age spots
• Spider veins
• Melasma
• Actinic keratosis
• Skin Cancer

Prevention is your best protection against sunburn. You can protect your skin by using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and avoiding sun exposure during the peak hours of sunlight from 10am to 4pm. It is important to reapply sunblock throughout the day and especially after swimming. Remember you can still get UV rays on a cloudy day. A wide-brimmed hat is also helpful in keeping the sun off of the face and neck. You may purchase clothing with SPF material and don’t hesitate to seek the shade of an umbrella on a sunny day at the beach.

Complexions Dermatology is pleased to provide a wide range of treatment options for sun-damaged skin. The first line of treatment is usually a topical cream or gel that can stimulate collagen production and lighten darker areas of pigment. There are also special exfoliants that can be used to encourage the skin cells to turnover.

Chemical peels are a nonsurgical procedure used by dermatologists to remove the outer layer of skin cells so that new, smooth skin can be exposed. This improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles often caused by sun damage and creates an overall even-looking skin tone.

Laser therapy is also a treatment option for patients who have sunspots or age spots as a result of sun exposure or sun damage. Laser therapy can treat:

• Wrinkles
• Actinic keratosis
• Uneven pigmentation
• Age spots

If you are interested in learning more about how to treat sun-damaged skin or would like more information about our treatment options, call Complexions Dermatology at our Danville location (434) 792-0423 or our Colonial Heights location (804) 805-8442.