Years of outdoor sun exposure will eventually affect our skin. The time we've spent exposed to the elements can manifest as dark spots, wrinkles, sagging skin, and discolouration. Unfortunately for sun enthusiasts, sun damage not only ages our skin prematurely but also increases the risk of skin cancer. Keep reading to learn about the most common signs and symptoms of sun damage on the face and body, and discover how to improve your skin's appearance.
Sun Damage on the Face: Key Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Unlike natural aging, which is influenced by age and genetics, sun damage results from UV light exposure permanently altering the skin's structure. Symptoms include:
Rough, Dry Skin Texture
Years of UV exposure can lead to significant textural changes in the skin, manifesting as scaly patches and crusty, thickened areas raised from the surface. The American Academy of Dermatology Association notes that these changes can include deep lines or dry, scaly patches known as actinic keratoses (AKs), which are pre-cancerous growths. This type of sun damage can also progress to skin cancer, as AKs sometimes develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Monitoring your skin for any changes and consulting a doctor can help detect potential skin cancers early.
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Long-term exposure to UV rays can lead to changes in the skin's collagen, which is responsible for its elasticity. These changes often result in fine lines, wrinkles, and a thickened skin texture. Prolonged UV exposure prematurely ages the skin by causing collagen loss and reduced elasticity. Remarkably, up to 90% of visible aging is attributed to sun exposure.
Sagging, Loose Skin
The skin's elasticity is primarily maintained by two proteins, elastin and collagen, which naturally degrade over time. However, external factors, such as excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking, can accelerate this process. The decline in collagen and elastin production leads to loose, sagging skin.
Spider Veins
The breakdown of collagen can result in decreased pressure around blood vessels and reduced skin elasticity. This change increases the likelihood of spider veins, which appear as a network of red, purple, and blue lines resembling a spider's web, becoming more visible on the skin's surface.
Uneven Skin Tone
While uneven skin tone can sometimes be hereditary, it can also result from prolonged sun exposure. Ruddy skin typically appears reddish and may exhibit unevenness, blotchiness, or broken capillaries.
Hyperpigmentation
Uneven skin pigmentation, known as hyperpigmentation, refers to irregular darkening of the skin. This condition can be caused by sun damage or genetics, resulting in discoloured or darkened patches on the skin. Hyperpigmentation can manifest as either raised lesions (papules or plaques) or flat lesions (patches or macules). Moles are another form of hyperpigmentation. Any changes in moles should be examined by a doctor to check for signs of skin cancer. Dark spots, also called sun spots, liver spots, or lentigines, are another type of hyperpigmentation. These spots, resembling large freckles or flat brown spots, develop from prolonged exposure to UV light and commonly appear on areas like the arms, legs, face, hands, neck, and décolletage.It's essential to monitor these skin issues for any changes in colour, texture, size, or shape, as they can indicate underlying health concerns. To protect your skin from further sun damage and improve its overall health, continue reading for tips.
How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage
To maintain radiant and healthy skin over the long term, follow these six steps to protect your skin:
1. Reapply SPF Every 2 Hours
Sunscreen is effective only when applied correctly and reapplied regularly. Reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every two hours, or more frequently if you are sweating, towel drying, or swimming.2. Reduce Outdoor Exposure & Use Protective Clothing
2. Choose a Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
3. Look for "Broad Spectrum on the Label
4. Choose An SPF With Moisturizing Ingredients
5. Regularly Check Your Body
6. Use Products with Vitamins and Antioxidants
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