You do not have to go any further than your neighborhood pool to see that many people do not take the sun very seriously. Of course, no one wants skin cancer and many individuals are not trying to burn their skin. However, if you look around your pool, you are likely to see many people over exposing and under protecting themselves in the harmful rays of the sun. As your friendly neighborhood Dermatologists, we want you to know the truth about sun damage!

The Dangers of Sun Damage

According to a study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine, “UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible facial aging signs.” The study went on to explain that a face can be aged an extra three years in appearance by just a two percent increase in sun damage. The sun can also cause pigmentation issues, discoloration, wrinkles, and a reduction of skin elasticity. While we do love anti-aging products and procedures, we believe that the best way to retain a youthful glow is to simply protect yourself from the sun.

However, your appearance is not all the sun can damage. There are countless other medical problems that the sun can cause, with skin cancer being the most severe form of damage. The three types of skin cancers you need to check yourself for this summer are discussed below –

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma- This type of skin cancer is typically defined by a firm red bump or scaly sore that never seems to heal. These bumps generally appear in areas of the body that are consistently exposed to the sun.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma- This is the most common form of skin cancer and it is generally identified by a white or pink bump on the skin or, in some cases, a flat scaly pink patch.
• Melanoma- This is the most deadly type of skin cancer. A warning sign to watch for is a change in the appearance of a mole. For more information on checking yourself for Melanoma, click here.

If you are concerned about skin cancer, contact your dermatologist today to schedule a skin cancer screening.

The Prevention of Sun Damage

The best medicine for sun damage is PREVENTION! If your daily skincare routine does not include protection from the sun, it’s time to update your methods. Here a few tips you can use in your skin care regimen to up your defense against sun damage:

• Use a good quality sunscreen. Sunscreen is the best way to to look younger for longer and keep your skin sun-safe.
• Use a retinol nightly. Retinol is the industry’s best ingredient for reversing the signs of skin aging! It can accelerate skin renewal and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
• Moisturize your skin daily. A quality moisturizer promotes skin hydration, prevents flaking, and leaves a protective layer of moisture.

For more tips on how to protect your skin this summer, read our blog post from last month here.

The Treatments for Sun Damage

If you already have sun damage, it’s not too late to start turning things around and improving your skin. The best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with a board certified dermatologist so they can help determine the most effective treatment for your specific situation.

Treatment options may include:

• Chemical peels
• Pico Genesis Laser treatment for skin pigmentation and fine lines
• Laser Genesis treatment for mild redness and fine lines
• Excel V laser treatments for more severe redness

If you are concerned about sun damage, give us a call today at 337-235-6886.