Sun Damage Specialist

What is sun damage?

The sun lights your day, darkens your skin, and triggers the production of vitamin D. Though the sun offers many benefits, it also damages your skin. 

The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun change your skin, altering the look and texture. The UV rays also damage DNA and may increase your risk of developing serious skin conditions like skin cancer.

When you spend too much time in the sun, the UV rays break down the collagen fibers in your skin’s dermal layer. Collagen is a structural protein that keeps your skin strong and elastic. This type of sun damage may lead to the premature appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Sun exposure also changes skin tone. Though you may enjoy the sun-kissed look, the UV rays may cause an overproduction of your pigment-producing cells — melanin — creating dark brown spots commonly known as sun spots or age spots. 

Too much sun may also cause red, scaly patches of skin known as actinic keratosis, which may turn into skin cancer when left untreated. 

What are the symptoms of sun damage?

The symptoms of sun damage may depend on the type of skin problem you have. As noted, sun damage affects the look and tone of your skin and may appear as lines, wrinkles, or age spots.

Sun damage also causes skin cancer, which may appear as new or changing moles, red or scaly skin lesions, or lumps and bumps. 

When should I seek medical help for sun damage?

You should seek medical help for sun-damaged skin if you have any concerns about new skin growths or lesions or a change in the look of your moles. Any new skin growths may be skin cancer. 

Finding and treating skin cancer during the early stages increases your chances of a full recovery. The Dermatology Center specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of skin cancer. 

You should also seek medical help for your sun-damaged skin if you don’t like the way it affects your look. Sun-damaged skin may make you look older than your age. In addition to skin cancer, the Dermatology Center also specializes in cosmetic dermatology. 

How is sun damage treated?

Treatment for sun damage depends on the type of damage you have and your personal goals and wishes.

For skin cancer, your provider at the Dermatology Center removes the lesion. To get rid of the cancerous tissue and minimize damage to the surrounding healthy skin, your provider may perform Mohs surgery.

The Dermatology Center also treats actinic keratosis. Treatment may include topical medication, scraping, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, or laser therapy. 

For cosmetic dermatology, your provider may recommend various treatments to improve the look and tone of your skin, such as Botox®, dermal fillers, or laser treatments. 

The Dermatology Center also encourages regular use of sunscreen to limit sun damage. 

For expert care of your sun-damaged skin, call the Dermatology Center or book an appointment online today.