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Skin Conditions
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Sun Damage
An Overview Of Sun Damage
Sunshine, although essential for health and wellbeing, is certainly a hazard for the skin. For many people it feels good to spend time outdoors and this makes it difficult to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Most of the sun exposure we accumulate through our lives is thought to be the effect of multiple, short periods of time outside. If the ozone depletion continues this may also increase our lifetime exposure.
What Does Sun Damaged Skin Look Like?
The appearance of sun-damaged skin is well recognized and is different from changes seen with normal chronological aging. The very smooth, fine, pale wrinkling associated with aging seen in the sun-protected areas of the skin such as the buttocks are different from those of sun damage.
Protecting Your Skin From Sun Damage
Sun avoidance and regular sunscreen use are widely promoted by organizations and individuals interested in skin cancer prevention. There appears to be some confusion about the messages people are getting about sunblock and why they're so important. Some use sunscreens to prevent sunburn, whereas others use sunscreens to improve sun tanning. Some wish to avoid the wrinkling associated with sun exposure, and others believe that sunscreens prevent all types of skin cancer.
Treatment For Sun Damaged Skin
There are a number of products and treatments available to try to reverse some of the signs of sun damage. These include preparations available over the counter, prescription medications and medical procedures.
The Effects of Ultraviolet Light
The skin has evolved to protect us from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. Sunscreens were first developed to prevent sunburns by blocking UVB; they allowed us to prolong our time in the sun, but that resulted in increased exposure to UVA. Modern sunscreens attempt to block the whole spectrum of UV light, so are called broad spectrum. Not all so-called broad spectrum sunscreens protect skin from the whole range of UVA.
Facts about UV Damage
Ultraviolet light (lightwaves 200-400nm) from the sun can cause sunburn if your skin is exposed for too long.
Sunscreen and Sunburn FAQ
While some experts believe that frequent application during sun exposure is beneficial, some experiments have shown that a single application of sunscreen will suffice for the day.
The Effects of Anti-Oxidants on Sun Damaged Skin
Recently there has been a lot of talk about the positive effects of anti-oxidants. Oxidative damage occurs when DNA, nocleid acid, protein, and lipids become oxidized due to photo-chemical reaction when UVA light is absorbed.
Sunscreen Facts
Sun avoidance and the use of regular sunscreens are widely promoted these days by individuals and organizations interested in cancer prevention, and this message is widely heard by the public. Yet, a majority of people
Recommended Articles on Photo Damage and Sun Protection
Sunshine, although essential for health and well being, is certainly a hazard for the skin. For many people it feels good to spend time outdoors and this makes it difficult to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Most of the sun exposure we accumulate throughout our lives, is thought to be the effect of multiple short periods of time outside. If the ozone depletion continues this may also increase our lifetime exposure
Choosing the Right Sunscreen
There is more to sunscreens that meets the eye. Here are a few points you should keep in mind when selecting one: 1. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is not the only way to judge sunscreen. SPF gives an indication of how well a sunscreen will protect your skin from ultraviolet-B light (which causes sunburn and skin cancer. ) but tells you nothing about a sunscreen's ability to protect you from ultraviolet-A light (which causes wrinkles, and also contributes to skin cancer). If you want protection against UV-A, be sure that your sunscreen includes avobenzone (Parsol-1789), Mexoryl®, titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide
Don't take chances with the sun
Make sunscreen a part of your daily routine. The minerals contained in physical sunscreens, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, work by forming a surface layer on the skin that will absorb, reflect and scatter the sun's harmful UV rays before they can penetrate into the skin itself.
Daily sun exposure
The amount of incidental ultraviolet radiation that we receive when we take the dog out, drive to work on a sunny day, or walk to a nearby café, accounts for 80% of all sun exposure. The cumulative effects of prolonged or unnecessary UV exposure can lead to premature aging of your skin and increase your risk for skin cancer.
It’s never too early to start sun protection
Your children should make sunscreen a part of their morning routine. Studies have shown that the regular use of a sunscreen product with an SPF of 15 or higher during childhood and adolescence can decrease the risk of certain types of skin cancer by 78%.
The dangers of early sunbed use
The preoccupation of teens to acquire an image or look often leads to a tendency to ignore the warnings of intensified UV radiation damage to the skin from sunbeds.
UV protection for your eyes
Don't forget your sunglasses, even during the winter season. Eyes, like skin, are very susceptible to ultraviolet radiation, and the intensity of UV rays is present all year long. Sunglasses can play an essential part in maintaining proper eye care.
The proven benefits of daily sunscreen use
A recent study looked at what happened when women applied sunscreen for 3 out of 4 days instead of daily. Those who didn't apply sunscreen everyday had skin changes that were visible under a microscope - changes that over time translated into fine lines, brown spots and uneven skin tone.
Winter lip care is a must!
Ladies, did you know that wearing lipstick not only cosmetically enhances your lips, but it also gives you protection against lip cancer? Most men don’t use any form of lip care, consequently, the incidence rate of lip cancer is higher for males than females.
UV protection during the winter
UV radiation is generally more intense during summer than in the winter. However, depending on the altitude of the location where you live and play, UV levels during the winter can still cause photodamage to your skin.
All-in-one moisturizing products
If you’re desperate to get some colour in the winter, you don’t have to fly south or expose yourself to the dangers of indoor tanning booths. Instead, opt for safer alternatives such as sunless tanning products.
What’s the connection between liver spots and aging?
Solar lentigines is the medical name for liver, sun or age spots. These darker areas of skin are flat brown-black spots that commonly form on sun-exposed areas of the body. They are not related to the liver or the functioning of the liver.
Doctor's resources for Sun Damage:
Skin Conditions and the Sun
The skin has evolved to protect us from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. Sunscreens were first developed to prevent sunburns by blocking UVB; they allowed us to prolong our time in the sun, but that resulted in increased exposure to UVA. Most mod
The A-B-C-Ds of Sensible Sun Protection
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a carcinogen that also compromises skin appearance and function. Since the UV action spectra for DNA damage, skin cancer, and vitamin D photosynthesis are identical, and vitamin D is readily available from oral supplements, why has sun protection become controversial?
Concepts in a Multiprong Approach to Photoaging
Photoaging is a multisystem degenerative process that involves the skin and the skin support systems, including the bone, cartilage, and subcutaneous compartments. These structures provide the architectural support for the dermis, epidermis, and stratum corneum. A multiprong approach to photoaging involves reversing the undesirable changes in each of these structures. Dermatologists should become adept at treating all of the visible manifestations of photoaging.
Topical Treatments for Melasma and Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin are common and can be the source of significant psychosocial distress for patients. The most common of these disorders are melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Sunscreen use and minimizing sun exposure are crucial in all cases. Topical applications are the mainstay of treatment and include phenols, retinoids, corticosteroids, and their combinations.
Fractional Laser Treatment for Pigmentation and Texture Improvement
Fractional laser treatment with the 1,550nm erbium fiber laser (Fraxel® Laser, Reliant Technologies) has bridged the gap between the ablative and nonablative laser modalities used to treat the epidermal and dermal signs of skin aging. By targeting water as its chromophore, the laser induces a dense array of microscopic, columnar thermal zones of tissue injury that do not perforate or impair the function of the epidermis. The significant skin remodeling that ensues can be used to treat, with limited downtime, epidermal pigmentation, melasma, and rhytides, as well as textural abnormalities that include acne-related and surgical scars.
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