5 Effects the Sun Has on Your Skin

Your skin is constantly exposed to UV rays—even on cloudy days, through the windows in your house or car, and in the few minutes you spend walking outside. Even if you spend most of your day indoors, even while you’re wearing sunscreen, and even sometimes when you’re sitting in the shade, ultraviolet radiation can be impacting you. Before you know it, your skin can become damaged, worn out, and prematurely aged, and you’ll wonder how it happened. Although you can use fillers to add volume and BOTOX® to relax muscles and minimize wrinkles in skin that has been sun damaged and lined with wrinkles due to squinting, it’s important to also protect the overall health of your skin, as UV rays can cause lasting health damage. With all of this in mind, the Skin Wellness Physicians team, providing fillers and neuromodulators for Naples patients, reminds everyone to watch out for the following unwanted effects that unprotected exposure to sunlight can have on their complexion:

1. Sunburn

A sunburn is characterized by painful, red, and blistered skin caused by a thermal burn on the skin’s outer layer. Getting sunburned increases your risk for developing skin cancer, as well as dries the skin and causes wrinkles to become more pronounced.

2. Wrinkles

Ultraviolet radiation exposure can cause skin to eventually lose its elasticity. It also slows down the rate at which skin cells replace themselves. Furthermore, the elastin fibers in the skin are damaged by sunlight, leading to wrinkles that eventually become etched into skin no longer able to maintain a smooth surface. When you constantly blink or squint in bright sunlight, it causes the skin to stretch, causing crow’s feet and frown lines around the eyes. 

3. Age Spots

Flat, dark areas known as age spots or sunspots often occur on skin that is heavily exposed to sunlight. This is a protective reaction, with pigment-producing cells working to minimize the sun’s ability to harm the skin.

4. Freckles

Many people notice that their freckles look more pronounced during the summer months. These marks are flat with a light brown, tan, or beige color. 

5. Actinic Keratosis 

Red, brown, or skin-colored lesions with a rough, scaly texture often occur due to chronic sun exposure. There is a risk of these patches progressing to skin cancer if steps aren’t taken to address them and prevent further damage. 

Want to learn more about sun exposure and skin care? Contact Skin Wellness Physicians by calling (239) 732-0044 or write us a message to request a consultation and discover more about what you can do to restore healthy, balanced skin this summer and after.

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