Sunlight can be both healthy and harmful for the skin, the critical element in the rays of the sun being ultraviolet light. Sun damage can result from over-exposure to ultraviolet light though the different wavelength of the same spectrum helps kill bacteria and metabolize Vitamin A.

Effects of Ultraviolet Light

We shall concentrate on sun damage and the effects of too much exposure to sunlight. Over-exposure can result under different circumstances. People with outdoor jobs, athletic coaches and sailors are habitually exposed to large doses of ultraviolet light day after day.

Other individuals may be exposed to harsh ultraviolet light due to recreational reasons. Sports like skiing, sailing and trekking are some outdoor activities that put the skin of such individuals at risk.

Sun Damage & Skin Diseases

The cumulative effect of sun damage can be severe and it often results in chronic skin diseases and in some cases cancer. Chronic sun ages the skin faster than the normal ageing process.

Ageing skin subjected to sustained photo damage is marked by wrinkles and lines. It is rough and blotchy and could develop patches called lentigos. It could also result in per-cancerous lesions.

Photo damage also causes the muscles of the skin to flag and the skin appears loose, coarse and leathery. This is due to damage of the connective tissue, which is called solar elastosis.

Sun Damage & Rosacea

Excessive exposure to the sun is also detrimental for individuals who have a skin condition called rosacea. This condition is characterized by sudden flushing of the skin of the face and cheeks.

It is a condition where the tiny blood vessels just under the surface of the skin dilate and cause the skin to look flushed and red. When excess sun heats up the face, the blood vessels dilate to regulate the heat. This results I the classic rosacea blush.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most sensitive of skin cancers that respond to chronic sun exposure and sun damage.

Another skin condition that is sensitive to sun damage is telangiectasias. This takes place due to the thread-like appearance of the blood vessels on the face, especially the nose, due to certain skin conditions like rosacea.

Treatment for Sun Damage

But how is sun damage treated? There are several ways to protect your skin from photo damage. One way is to apply sunscreen or sun block to the areas of your skin that are habitually exposed to sunlight, when you’re outdoors.

Sun block deflects, absorbs or diffuses the ultraviolet light and therefore protects your skin.

Other topical products like creams and lotions could reverse the effects of sun damage. These include moisturizers, creams, lotions and gels. Those that contain alpha hydroxy acids claim to iron out w\wrinkles and smooth the skin. Products that have Vitamin C as their active ingredient are also known to help.

A popular surgical treatment for skin with sun damage is the use of collagen or hyaluronic acid which is injected into the epidermis. This restores some of the damaged collagen and brings the elasticity back to the skin.

Effects of Sun Damage is a post from: Skincare