Sun Damage
Overview:
Sun damage, also known as photo damage, is named for the way the sun changes the feel and look of your skin. It’s a form of extrinsic aging, or early aging that is altered by your surroundings. The effects of sun damage worsen with unprotected, repeated exposure to sunlight.
Sun damage is brought on by over-exposure to UV rays. UV is an undetectable, damaging form of radiation that is emitted from our sun. UV rays may be UVA or UVB – UVA rays can penetrate more deeply into the skin, causing premature aging and skin cancer. UVB rays generally affect your skin’s surface, and they are the main source of sunburns.
Your body is exposed to sunlight even when you are not thinking about it. Walking from your house to the car, or even sitting close to a window exposes you to UV rays, which are harmful to the body. The type of exposure you are subjected to on a daily basis is called secondary UV exposure.
Causes
This secondary type of exposure occurs when you’re not thinking about it, or expecting it. You can be in a tree’s shade, on a cloudy day, and you may even be indoors. It is estimated that an average individual is exposed to over ten hours of UV rays indoors every week. Add your outdoor hours to that (an average of seven hours a week) and your weekly exposure to UV radiation might be almost twenty hours! That is like spending a whole weekend at the beach without any sunscreen on.
Everyone is vulnerable to the sun’s harmful effects. But some people may have a higher risk of damage than others. If you have sustained burns, you are in the group that is at higher risk. Some other things that put you at higher risk include:
The area in which you live – if you live near the equator, the sun is just overhead and it throws off strong UV rays. And people who live in mountainous areas have an increase in UV intensity because of the altitude.
Treatment
How you live – if you enjoy cooking outside, or playing sports, you’re at higher risk for sun damage. Any damage accumulates as time passes, so the more you’re outside, the more sun-damaged your skin will be. Be sure to apply sunscreen every time you go outside.
The medications you take also affect your sun sensitivity. Antibiotics and other medications plus sun can equal sunburns and sun damage. Consult with your physician or pharmacist to see if any of your medications may make you more sensitive to the sun.
If you are light haired and fair skinned, perhaps with freckles, you are in the high risk group for sun damage and for eventual skin cancer. If your family has a history of skin cancer, be sure to use extra precautions and daily protection from the sun.
Certain cosmetic procedures can make you more sensitive to the sun’s rays. If you have undergone microdermabrasion, resurfacing by laser or chemical peeling, be sure to ask your dermatologist about the best ways to protect your skin.
Sun damage isn’t just initially painful, it’s potentially very dangerous. It ages your skin prematurely, and increases the chance that you will develop skin cancer.
Your physician or dermatologist will be able to diagnose your sun damage with a physical examination. He or she may ask pertinent questions about your medical history and that of your family.
Protect yourself from sun damage. Apply sunscreen every time you go outside, whether it’s cloudy or not. Use a product that has an SPF value of 15 or better. Make sure the product that you use is effective against both UVA and UVB rays.
