Sun-damaged skin describes premature aging of the skin that might change its appearance or lead to skin cancer due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are two types of UV rays that cause sun-damaged skin: UVA and UVB.
UVA rays are the longer waves that activate the skin in an unhealthy way and give you a tan, but they aren’t responsible for the appearance of sunburn. They penetrate the skin deeper than UVB rays and trigger premature aging and skin cancer.
UVB rays, on the other hand, are shorter and responsible for sunburns. However, they can also accelerate early signs of aging. UVB rays are considered the most common cause of skin cancers.
Patients from New Hampshire and Massachusetts don’t need to worry about skin damage and other related conditions caused by too much sun exposure, thanks to different medical treatments for sun-damaged skin at Dermatology & Skin Health. Our team of board-certified dermatologists and highly-trained medical professionals perform each skin treatment inside state-of-the-art facilities to ensure your safety and comfort.
By consulting with us now, you can find out which sun damage treatment option is the best pick for you. We perform UV radiation and skin cancer screening to help determine how the sun damage has affected your skin and what we can do about it. Book your first consultation with us by calling us or filling out our form online.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
Everyone can have sun-damaged skin when exposed to the sun and other sources of UV rays for too long. However, people with lighter skin tone are more likely to develop severe skin damage because they have less melanin in their skin than dark-skinned people. Melanin provides pigment and natural sun protection to the skin.
But aside from your skin tone, there are also other factors that affect your risk of skin damage from UV light. You should be extra careful under the sun if you:
Too much sun exposure may lead to a wide range of skin problems – from something as mild as sunburns, sun spots, dark spots, and age spots to more severe conditions like actinic keratosis and skin cancer. Make sure to see a dermatologist immediately if you notice serious signs of sun damage on the skin like:
Sun damage hurts the skin's ability to maintain essential components, such as antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, ceramides, and important fatty acids. All of these components keep our skin looking youthful and healthy.
In addition to potentially life-threatening skin cancer, the long-term consequences of unprotected sun exposure include wrinkles and fine lines, brown spots, melasma, uneven skin tone, changes in skin texture, and dull, congested skin.
UVA sun damage can be sneaky; often, you won't feel any pain or discomfort from it, but your skin is being damaged nonetheless. As time passes, skin abnormalities like uneven pigmentation can become more pronounced, and you run the risk of actinic keratoses and eventually, skin cancer.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, our excellent dermatology services are guaranteed to be safe and effective, performed by the top doctors in their respective fields. Treat your skin problems by contacting us today.
The best way to protect yourself from sun-damaged skin is through prevention. We recommend wearing sunscreen and other skincare products that are rated as SPF 30 or higher, regardless of the weather.
If you’re going to be outside for long periods and run the possibility of sweating, you will need to reapply sunscreen regularly to ensure optimal protection. Your lips can also sustain damage from the sun. Lip balm with SPF should also be applied periodically since eating and drinking take it away.
While many medical offices don’t have the capability to treat sun-damaged skin Dermatology & Skin Health provides multiple options for the treatment of prematurely aging skin. These treatments include:
A: Chemical peels are a popular acne treatment option that also works for reversing the signs of sun damage on the skin. But since it uses harsh chemical exfoliants to reveal a fresh layer of skin, some patients are at risk of experiencing further irritation. Before trying any type of treatment for sun-damaged skin, make sure to consult a board-certified dermatologist first.
A: Yes. Using products that already have some SPF content isn’t always enough to protect your skin from sun damage. It’s still better to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 regularly to make sure you have enough protection from harmful UV rays.
A: Yes, fresh scars are more likely to develop sunburns than the rest of the skin. When combined with prolonged sun exposure, the healing tissues of the scar may develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, causing the surrounding skin of the fresh scar to darken.
A: Yes, because there are still some remnants of harmful UV rays in the sky even after the sun has set. Make sure to always wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to give your skin adequate protection from UV radiation.
A: Yes. Although some types of clouds limit UV rays that reach the ground, other clouds may reflect that UV radiation to your skin. Make sure to wear sunscreen every time you’re heading out regardless of how the sky looks.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
If you suffer from sun damage or feel you may have sun-damaged skin, schedule a consultation at Dermatology & Skin Health. Our team specializes in a wide selection of medical treatments for sun-damaged skin, so you can trust us to provide you with the best skin solutions.
Please fill out the request form on our site or give us a call at (603) 742-5556 (Dover & Newington), (978) 525-0100 (Peabody), (603) 965-3551 (Londonderry), or (603) 742-5556 (Bedford) to book an appointment. Get the best treatments from our team of experts and contact us today.
If your desired appointment type or preferred provider is unavailable online, kindly call (978) 525-0100 for Peabody, MA and (603) 742-5556 for all New Hampshire locations. Alternatively please feel free to send us your request via the patient portal, or via email at info@dermskinhealth.com
*For medical dermatology appointments in MA please dial (978) 525-0100 or fill out the appointment request form above.
