Sun damage Symptoms & Causes

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Treatments

Conditions

The symptoms

Sunburn

Sunburn is painful, red, and feels hot when touched. Peeling will occur after a few days.

Dryness and wrinkles

Small, flat, or brownish spots on the face that occur after prolonged and unprotected sun exposure.

Uneven Skin Texture

Sun exposure can make the skin feel scaly and rough, or even bumpy when it is touched.

Dark Spots

Age spots or liver spots are small, dark patches on the skin that appear due to prolonged exposure to the sun.

Tanning

Your skin colour will change after a long exposure to the sun. It is an indication that your skin has been damaged by the sun.

When to see a doctor?

Consultation Is The Key

Can I use home remedies or over-the-counter products?

Consider visiting your doctor if you experience signs of sun damage like changes in your moles or skin spots, like changes in colour, or if they continue to grow bigger. If you notice scaly or dry patches on your skin, if you feel severe pain and swelling with your sunburn. Lastly, if the areas with sun damage have redness and puss, or if you are experiencing a high fever after sunburn.

Severe sun damage is not good for your skin and overall health. It may result in more severe conditions, like skin cancer. It is best to consult your doctor immediately to address the issues and prevent the deadly “Big C”.

Advised treatments

Chemical-peels

Skin Treatment

Fractora

Skin Treatment

Photodynamic-therapy

Hair Treatment

The causes

What causes sun damage?

Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun’s UV radiation causes damage to the skin. UVA sun’s rays break down elastin and collagen by penetrating deeper into the skin, while UVB rays can damage the DNA and cause sunburns by affecting the epidermis.

UV exposure can cause premature ageing and the development of skin cancers.

The risk factors

Who is prone to sun damage?

Certain people are more prone to sun damage, including:

People with fair skin: Light-skinned individuals are at high risk of UV damage because they have less melanin that protects the skin from UV light exposure.
Outdoor workers and athletes: People who usually spend their time outdoors are at high risk of having sun-damaged skin due to prolonged sun exposure.
Frequent tanners: Individuals who spend their time on beaches or outdoors to get tanned or use tanning beds are at high risk.

The complications

Overall Impact

Physical damage

Premature ageing:
Too much sun exposure can make our skin age quickly. UV rays can make the skin dry leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and a sagging skin appearance.
Damaged Skin:
Our skin can be severely damaged if remain unprotected from UV rays. Sunburn, dark spots, melasma, or freckles may occur in the face and different parts of the body exposed to the sun.

Eye Issues:
Harmful UV rays can greatly damage our eyes leading to eye issues like cataracts. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses when getting outside.
Skin Cancer:
Too much sun exposure may cause skin cancer like melanoma. It is crucial that we protect our skin by using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher or wearing protective clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.

The prevention

Shield With Sunscreen

Does sunscreen prevent sun damage?

Broad-spectrum sunscreen can help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It works by blocking both UVA and UVB rays, preventing sunburn, and reducing long-term damage. It can protect all types of skin.

Limit time outdoors

Avoid scheduling your outdoor activities from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm as the sun is in intense heat. It is best to go outside early in the morning or late afternoon.

SPF Beauty Boost

Are there skincare products or make-up with SPF?

There are products containing SPF that are readily available in the market. Products like foundation, lip balm, or body lotions usually contain SPF.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking lots of water is good for your skin’s health. Staying hydrated will help your skin become strong and heal faster once exposed to the sun.

Skip Tanning Beds

Do tanning beds can damage the skin?

Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiation that can severely damage the skin. It can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, can contribute to premature ageing, as well as eye damage.

Wear protective clothing

If you can’t avoid getting out on time when the sun is intense, aside from applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF), you can also wear protective gear like clothes with long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.

Antioxidants For Defense

Does food with antioxidants help prevent sun damage?

Foods rich in antioxidant properties can help protect your skin from sun damage by reducing the harmful effects of free radicals. Foods containing Vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene can help boost skin defence against UV radiation. It can also promote skin repair by stimulating collagen production.

Use antioxidant products

Vitamins C and E can also be found in different skin care products. Using those products can also help fight free radicals that are caused by harmful UV rays.

Know Your Risk

How should I know if I am prone to sun damage?

If you have fair or light skin tone and have been sunburned previously, you are at high risk of sun damage. Old people are at risk because their skin is more sensitive to UV rays if your family has a history of skin cancer, and if you are living in a geographical location.

Visit your dermatologist

A regular visit to your dermatologist will help you assess your skin’s vulnerability to sun damage. They may also advise what are the right products to use for sun-exposed skin.