Sun Damage

Over time, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light damages the top layer of your skin. The board-certified dermatologists at Redwood Empire Dermatology in Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, and Oakmont, California, use the most advanced technology to target brown spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and reverse signs of sun damage. To learn more, call Redwood Empire Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.

What is sun damage?

Sun damage, or photoaging, is a consequence of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure over time. As UV rays penetrate the deeper layers of your skin, they slow cell turnover and your production of collagen and elastin. These two proteins keep your skin buoyant and youthful. Frequent exposure can also cause dry skin, which accelerates the signs of aging.

How does sun damage happen?

When UV light reaches skin that doesn’t have protection from sunscreen, it can penetrate the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is the skin’s outermost protective layer, while the dermis sits underneath. Because you can’t see your dermis, UV rays can damage this layer for several years before you begin to see the signs of damage.

There are two main types of UV light that can affect your skin:

UVA light

UVA light penetrates all layers of your skin and can damage the collagen and elastin your body produces. Damage from UVA light will generally lead to skin aging: wrinkles, pigmentation abnormalities, broken blood vessels, volume loss. 

UVB light

UVB light primarily affects the surface of your skin. In addition to photoaging, UVB light can cause precancerous lesions, such as actinic keratosis.

Exposing your skin to the sun without sunscreen is the most common cause of sun damage. However, tanning outside or in tanning beds can accelerate the process. Though anybody can develop sun damage, fair-skinned adults are far more prone than those with darker skin tones.

What are the different types of sun damage?

The sun can affect your skin’s elasticity, pigment, and texture. Some of the most common types of sun damage include:

• Sunburns
• Freckles
• Melasma
• Brown spots
• Actinic keratosis (precancerous lesions)
• Solar lentigines (liver spots)
• Hyperpigmentation
• Broken capillaries
• Redness

Your dermatologist can create the best sun damage treatment for you that may include laser therapy, intense-pulsed light (IPL) light therapy, Botox® and fillers, and medical-grade skin care.

Can I prevent sun damage?

Preventing sun damage is easier than treatment. You can preserve your skin health and prevent damage by:

• Wearing sunscreen outside
• Wearing protective clothing in the sun
• Applying moisturizer in the morning and at night
• Practicing good skin care

To learn more about sun damage, call Redwood Empire Dermatology today or schedule an appointment online.

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