Though you may have enjoyed the sun-kissed glow of your skin after spending a few hours soaking up the rays in your younger days, you may be paying the price now. Excess sun exposure without the right protection damages your skin and can lead to premature lines and wrinkles, sun spots, and freckles. Dedicated to helping you look as good as you feel, the board-certified dermatologists at Northstar Dermatology in North Richland Hills, Texas, offer sun damage treatments to improve the look of your skin. Call the office or use online scheduling to book your appointment today.
The sun may help your body produce vitamin D, but it’s not always a friend to your skin. The energy produced by the sun travels in visible and invisible rays, or waves.
Long waves, similar to the waves created by your microwave, don’t cause any harm to you or your skin. However, short waves, including UVA and UVB rays, can damage your skin.
UVB rays affect the surface of your skin, causing sunburn. UVA rays travel deeper into your skin and alter the function of your skin cells, which may affect their appearance and growth.
Many common beauty concerns that develop as you get older are caused or accelerated by excessive sun exposure. Common sun damage conditions include:
Wrinkles
Lines and wrinkles are part of the aging process. However, sun damage may affect the structure of your skin and cause premature wrinkling.
Sun Spots
Sun spots develop from long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun and tanning beds. The spots appear from an acceleration in the growth of melanin, which is your pigmented skin cells.
Freckles
Freckles are common, especially in fair-skinned individuals. The tiny brown dots develop from sun exposure. Like sun spots, freckles develop from an overgrowth of melanin.
Skin Cancer
Sun damage may also increase your risk of developing skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
Northstar Dermatology takes an individualized approach to treating your sun damaged skin. Your treatment plan depends on the type of sun damage you have and your medical history.
Surgical excision is recommended for skin cancer. Additional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, may be needed depending on the type of skin cancer.
For expert treatment of your sun-damaged skin, call Northstar Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.
