The Sun and Your Skin

Sun DamageWe all love the sun, but too much of a good thing can significantly damage our skin. If you have any doubt about its effects, compare areas of your skin that aren’t exposed to the sun with places such as your face, arms, and upper chest. Chances are good that you’ll see a significant difference.

Cumulative exposure to the sun can make us look older than we really are and cause a long list of lasting sun damage, including:

Dry skin

The sun’s heat causes your skin to lose essential moisture and oils, leading to a dry, flaky, and wrinkled appearance. Dry skin may also be itchy.

Actinic keratosis

These tiny bumps are usually pink, red, yellow, or brown in color. They’re often found on areas such as the face, ears, hands, and lower arms – places that have had repeated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light. They are a warning sign of an increased skin cancer risk.

Long-term changes in your skin’s collagen and elastin

Collagen and elastin damage can cause premature aging of the skin, which result in more wrinkles and fine lines. Your skin’s texture may be thicker, and you’ll be more likely to bruise on areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. Your skin will be more likely to sag and stretch.

Damage to small blood vessels

The sun can cause small blood vessels just beneath your skin’s surface to permanently stretch. This can make your skin look mottled and red.

Liver spots or age spots

These flat spots are usually tan, brown, or black and occur in areas like your hands, face and arms, since they’re most often exposed to the sun.

Skin cancer

Repeated, unprotected exposure to the sun can increase your risk of developing skin cancer, particularly if you’re fair-skinned.

North Scottsdale Laser and Skin Care has a variety of ways to help reverse the sun damage that years of exposure has done to your skin. Make an appointment today to find out how we can take years off of your look.

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