What is Sun Damage?

While it’s true that our skin naturally ages and changes with time, sun damage actually intensifies and expedites the aging of the skin with the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles, and uneven tone. We all love to be outside enjoying the weather on a sunny day, but Boulder Plastic Surgery wants you to know that sun damage to the skin occurs easier than you may think, even on a cool, cloudy day. We want you to be aware, so you can take steps to prevent unattractive and potentially fatal damage to your skin from the sun.

What are the Signs of Sun Damage?

• Age Spots – Our bodies produce a pigment called melanin that gives our skin its natural color and protects it from UV rays. Tanning is a direct result of increased production of melanin. Sometimes our skin cannot distribute the melanin evenly, resulting in freckles, age spots, and blotchy patches. Sometimes these signs of sun damage will not appear when we’re younger, but will become more evident with age.
• Skin Cancer – Ultraviolet light is actually a form of radiation that can alter your skin’s DNA, especially after a sunburn. Healthy skin cells that are damaged by UV rays can mutate into cancer cells that result in skin cancer, a potentially fatal disease. Visit your doctor immediately if you notice any raised moles that change over time, are larger than a pencil eraser, have an abnormal shape or irregular edges, or are red or multi-colored. These are very serious signs of sun damage that need to be treated immediately.
• Wrinkles – Exposure to UV rays damages the skin by breaking down the collagen and connective tissue that gives skin its elasticity. The more skin loses its elasticity, the more wrinkles form in a shorter amount of time.

Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage

It is much more effective to protect your skin from the sun than to reverse the effects after the fact. Boulder Plastic Surgery offers treatments to improve the appearance of sun damaged skin. Check out our blog tomorrow to learn more about how to treat sun-damaged skin, and make an appointment at Boulder Plastic Surgery to learn about which treatment is right for you.