Sun damage
Repeated exposure to the sun can cause the skin to become sun damaged, resulting in undesireable brown spots, lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, thinning of the skin, precancers and skin cancers.
Sun damage may be permanent, yet the skin can be rejuvenated with professional skin treatments and careful avoidance of additional sun exposure.
Sun damage means you are at risk for skin cancer. Can your doctor recognize a skin cancer? Read our guide to skin cancer and see a board certified dermatologist can give you the best skin care advice, design a protocol for skin care, and check for skin cancers.
Treatments for sun damage
There are so many options to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin that it's difficult for dermatologists to recommend just one.
During a doctor appointment they recommend a treatment for a patient's individual needs, skin type and lifestyle.
Common sun damage treatment recommendations are for resurfacing treatments:
- laser resurfacing (both minimally invasive and invasive)
Certain lasers can specifically treat individual brown spots and others can treat unwanted facial red capillary blood vessels.
Preventing sun damage
Medical experts believe that the best way to prevent sun damage is to wear a UVA/UVB sunblock with an SPF of 30 every day, regardless if it's cloudy outside.
UVB are the sun’s burning rays, which are strongest in the summer months. During these months it is advisable to wear a high number SPF since SPF is protection against UVB rays.
UVA on the other hand doesn’t change with the seasons and it remains constant year round. That is why daily UVA/UVB protection is essential for preventing sun damage.
More sun damage information on RealSelf
- What's the best chemical peel to treat sun damage?
- How to treat sun damage
- How can I prevent sun damage?
