Know the Signs of Sun Skin Damage

Do you need to speak with your dermatologist, Richard Cirelli of Prescott Valley, AZ, about sun skin damage?

Sun damage? Sounds odd, right? I mean, who doesn't enjoy the warmth and light of the sun as long as you have sunscreen? It's a great source of vitamin C and an opportunity to have more fun but with that being said, you still need to take care. The sun's heat dries out unprotected skin and UV radiation cause burns and changes in the skin's structure, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Common Types Sun Skin Damage:

1. Dry Skin: Sun-exposed skin loses moisture and oils that act as natural lubricants for your skin. Your skin dries up, appearing dry, flaky, and prematurely wrinkled.
   
   
2. Sunburn: This is when the sun's UV radiation damages the skin. Sunburns cause painful reddening of the skin and in extreme cases, they may cause fluid-filled blisters.
   
   
3. Actinic keratosis: This is a rough tiny bump. The scaly patch is a result of sun-damaged skin and appears pink, red, yellow, or brown. It can be treated if your Prescott Valley dermatologist freezes it or chemically treats it. Either way, you need a doctor because it won't go away on its own like dry skin or a sunburn.
   
   
4. Changes to skin's collagen:

• Photoaging: This premature aging is when people develop wrinkles and fine lines on their skin because of structural changes made by the sun to the skin's protein (collagen).
  
  
• Actinic purpura: This is when you notice bleeding from fragile blood vessels. UV radiation, again, damages the structure of the collagen supporting skin's tiny blood vessels.
  
  

What are some long-term effects?

Over time, repeated unprotected exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer. Here are some facts according to the Skin Cancer Foundation:

1. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S (1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70)
2. More than two people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
3. Five or more sunburns doubles your risk of skin cancer.
   
   

Preventive Methods

• Apply sunscreen before you go outdoors and make sure it's water-resistant and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or above
• Use sunblock on your lips
• Avoid direct sunlight from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wear sunglasses with UV protection, long pants, a shirt with long sleeves, and a wide-brim hat.
  
  

Do you need a consultation?

For more information about sun skin damage, preventive methods, and treatment options, contact Dr. Richard Cirelli of Prescott Valley, AZ, at (928) 445-7546.