Post Sun Exposure and What to Do About It

MORE COMMON ISSUES RELATED TO POST SUN EXPOSURE IN THE SKIN

Obviously too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn, says Dr. Evriviades. “This, as anyone who has had it knows, can be very painful until it heals,” he says, however, more concerning is that sunburn significantly increases the lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. He adds, “This risk accumulates during your whole life, so the more sunshine you get, the greater the risk.” Also, ultraviolet sunrays age the skin dramatically. UV light

creates free radicals which damage collagen and elastic fibers in the skin, reducing the skin’s elasticity and strength and promoting the development of wrinkles. It also stimulates melanocytes in the skin to produce more melanin, leading to pigmentation issues such as lentigo or melasma (sunspots).

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH SUN EXPOSURE

Some sunlight exposure is necessary and healthy, as UVB rays help make vitamin D which is essential for health. “But try to avoid strong sunlight, particularly during noon and early afternoon.”

SPECIFIC ISSUES

Sun spots: The best way is to avoid developing sun spots in the first place, he says. “Be very careful to minimize sun exposure which triggers sun spots.” Once you have sunspots, sometimes they may fade over time, particularly if sun exposure to the area is prevented, however, it only takes a small amount of sun exposure to bring them back - so wearing sun protection daily is paramount. Treatment: There are several effective topical treatments for sunspots, this includes both tretinoin and hydroquinone; both which can be effective if applied daily. “It is also wise to add an antioxidant to your daily skincare regimen such as vitamin C containing creams.”

Whatever treatment is used, prolonged sun exposure will undo all the good work very quickly, so using a good sunscreen daily is a must. Moles: His advice is to use a good daily sun protection regimen and keep an eye on your moles, watching for any changes in appearance (size, shape, color) or one that begins to itch. Seek advice from your doctor if you have any concerns. Pigmentation: According to Dr. Evriviades, pigmentation is very difficult to completely remove, but it can be significantly improved now that we understand the causes and mechanisms behind it. “If a patient is committed to good sun protection, topical treatments applied daily can significantly reduce pigmentation problems.” Aging: “Prolonged lifelong sun exposure will cause your skin to age more rapidly,” he says, with a loss of elasticity, increased wrinkling, pigmentation issues and ultimately a ‘leathery’ look to the skin. It is very important to be aware that sun-exposure is the single biggest causative factor in the development of skin cancer. “I have spent much of my career treating patients with advanced skin cancer which can be fatal and even if not, the treatment can leave people disfigured,” he explains, so a sensible approach is to limit your exposure throughout your life.

THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM THE SUN

The best time to get some sun is early morning or late afternoon. Avoid the midday sun. Wearing a good quality sunscreen daily is paramount, preferably one with a UVA blocker also known as broad spectrum. But don’t just rely on sunscreen, layer up your protection with clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Use a daily moisturizer to aid your skin recovery and maintain hydration preferably one containing an antioxidant such as vitamin C. H