What are the effects of sun on the skin?

Chronic exposure to solar radiation generates a series of changes in the skin, which are evidenced in different ways:

  • Spots (solar lentigines): they usually appear on the face, predominantly, as well as on the backs of the hands.
  • Wrinkles: they appear as a consequence of the loss of elastic skin fibers caused by radiation. Although age is also one of the causes of wrinkles, the sun causes them to appear earlier and deeper, making the skin thicker and more “wrinkled”.
  • Actinic keratoses (pre-malignant lesions): these are reddish spots with desquamation on their surface, which usually appear on the face and ears, as well as on the exposed part of the forearms. Sometimes these lesions disappear spontaneously, while on other occasions they are maintained over time. However, actinic keratosis may be the first manifestation of an epidermoid carcinoma.
  • Skin cancer: there are different histological variants, such as basal cell carcinomas (which are the most frequent), epidermoid carcinomas and melanomas.

What are the myths and facts about sunbathing?

Many people want to be tanned and, at the same time, do not want to have wrinkles or spots. However, this is a contradiction in terms. For this, good sense is the best medicine, so you should enjoy outdoor activities, always using sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure during the “peak” hours, i.e. from 11 am to 3 pm.

How to treat the effects of the sun on the skin?

Treatments will always depend on the damage present. In any case, prevention is essential.

Read Now 👉  Androgenetic alopecia also affects women

There are topical treatments (creams), which are used for benign and pre-malignant lesions, as well as physical therapies (cryosurgery, laser, chemical peels). On the other hand, there are topical (immuno-modulators), non-invasive physical (cryosurgery, laser, radiotherapy) or invasive (surgery) treatments for the treatment of skin cancer. Each case should receive the indicated and individualized treatment.