Sun Damage in Peoria, AZ
Excessive, unprotected exposure of your skin to ultraviolet rays can lead to sun damage. Sun damage can lead to other skin problems, including fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancer. Your dermatologist can tell you more.
What Is Sun Damage?
Sun damage is damage done to normal skin cells by exposure to the sun.
What Can Happen To Your Skin When You Have Sun Damage
When you have sun damage, it can appear as:
- A sunburn, which can range from mild redness to severe redness and blistering
- Wrinkles, which develop along the lines of expression
- Melasma, which is an abnormal patch of skin discoloration on the nose, forehead, and other areas of the face
- Freckles, which are flat and circular, have tan to brown spots
- Solar keratosis, which are rough, scaly patches of skin
- Actinic cheilitis, which appears on the lower lip and is similar to keratosis
- Squamous cell carcinoma, which is skin cancer within the squamous cell layer of skin
- Bowen disease, which is a type of skin cancer on the surface of the skin, appears as a reddish-brown crust
- Basal cell carcinoma, which is skin cancer within the basal cell layer of skin
- Melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, develops within the melanocytes
Diagnosis and Treatment of Sun Damage
Your dermatologist will begin with a thorough examination of your skin, looking for abnormal moles and areas of tissue. Your dermatologist may recommend a biopsy, which involves taking a small tissue sample and examining the cells under a microscope. If cancerous cells are found, your doctor will discuss skin cancer treatment methods with you.
If you have sun damage, but no cancerous areas, your dermatologist may recommend treatment options to fade brown spots, and even out skin tone and texture with a skin resurfacing treatment. Skin resurfacing treatment options include:
- Chemical peels, to remove the surface layer of skin using mild acidic solutions
- Microdermabrasion, to remove dead skin cells using abrasive particles and suction
- Laser therapy, to fade brown spots by using light and heat energy
How You Can Help Prevent Sun Damage
You can do a lot to help prevent sun damage. You need to protect your skin by:
- Applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day
- Applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 if you have a high risk of sun damage
- Trying to avoid being out in the sun during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM, when UV rays are the most intense
