Preventing And Reversing Sun Damage To Your Skin
Take steps to prevent sun damage to your skin now
and you’ll enjoy a more youthful appearance later in life.
What to look for in a sunscreen
Sunscreens are essential for protection against UVB and UVA wavelengths. UVB (shorter wavelength) is the major wavelength that causes sunburns and promotes skin cancer. UVA (longer wavelength) is associated with photo aging. Sunscreens are rated according to their UVB protecting abilities. The SPF (sunburn protecting factor) indicates the ability to delay a burn. For example, a SPF 30 sunscreen can delay the development of a burn up to 30 times longer in comparison to unprotected skin. Sunscreens suitable for adults are also suitable for children.
Look on the sunscreen bottle for the seal of approval from the Skin Cancer Foundation for reliable sunscreens. Apply sunscreens 30 minutes before sun exposure. If your summer activities include swimming or exercise, use a water-resistant sunscreen and reapply every thirty minutes. If you have eczema or sensitive skin, look for a cream-based sunscreen product.
Other sun protection measures
Avoid being outdoors during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you are outdoors, wear a 4-inch brim hat that encircles your entire head and sunglasses that provide complete UV protection. Wear sunscreen lip balms with an SPF of at least 15. Wearing polyester clothing with a tight weave can provide additional protection. Keep in mind that wet clothing offers less sun protection. Rinsing your clothing with Rit Sun Guard can enhance the sun protection properties of your washable clothes.
How the sun damages your skin.
UVB is a short wavelength of sunlight that primarily damages the epidermis which is the surface layer of the skin. This wavelength has the strongest correlation to skin cancer and sunburns and actually damages the DNA of the epidermal cells over time. These cells lose the ability to repair the DNA damage and skin cancers can arise. Remember that even though you may not burn when exposed to sun, there is still microscopic evidence of skin damage and that damage is cumulative.
UVA is a long wavelength of sunlight that has a weaker role in skin cancer and sunburn development. UVA does more damage to the dermis (the layer beneath the epidermis) that contains the supportive tissue that keeps your skin tight and youthful. Over time, the damage reduces healthy collagen formation and causes an increase in damaged elastic fibers. These changes result in wrinkles, skin sagging (increased laxity), and dyschromia (brown spots and irregular color changes).
Treating Sun-Damaged Skin
If you’ve already experienced some sun damage, the incorporation of Retin-A cream in your nightly skin care regime has proven effective in reversing some of the effects of sun damage.
There are also other treatments available that can improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin:
- Microdermabrasion – exfoliates the outer layer of dead skin cells promoting the growth of healthy new skin.
- Chemical peel – removes damaged skin layers. Many types of peels are available and your aesthetician will make a recommendation based on an evaluation of your skin type and the extent of sun damage.
- Microlaser peel – one 10-micron microlaser peel is equivalent to 4-6 microdermabrasian treatments. A series of 2-4 treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart provides the best results.
- Photorejuvenation – an intense pulse light treatment that can improve brown spots and discoloration from rosacea (redness and broken blood vessels).
- Photodynamic Therapy – incorporates a photosensitizing agent plus intense pulse light. Reduces pore size and treats more severe sun damage, fine wrinkles, and acne.
- Botox®, Restylane and collagen injections – products that treat fine lines and wrinkles caused by both sun damage and facial expressions.
Getting rid of brown spots caused by overexposure to the sun:
Combining some of the treatments described above with the application of bleaching creams and/or Retin A creams reduces the intensity of brown spots.
Most of these cosmetic procedures and services are not covered by health insurance plans. It’s important to feel comfortable with the physician or skin care specialist you choose for help treating sun-damaged skin. Consider scheduling a consultation to learn more about the options that would work best for your skin type, budget and lifestyle.
Preventing And Reversing Sun Damage To Your Skin
John Robichaux, MD
Originally published in WOMEN’S FOCUS MAGAZINE
July/August 2005
(Granted permission for reprint). |
