Although many people may find the tanned look attractive, unfortunately, sunshine and the UV light it exposes us to is no friend to our skin. It not only affects the look of our skin, but can also damage the health of our skin, too.
The best way to protect our skin is to make sure we use sunscreen with an adequate suitable SPF (sun protection factor). However, if the damage is already done, there are treatments that can help.
First, let's look at some of the issues sun damage can cause.
Your body increases its production of melanin, a brown pigment in the epidermis, to protect itself from the sun. This pigment produces your tan when your skin is exposed to UV light.
However, sometimes the production of melanin is irregular and exposure to sunlight can cause uneven pigmentation, which may persist much longer than a tan. It can cause small blood vessels to stretch permanently, resulting in red blotches.
Sun can also damage skin by creating sun spots, also known as age spots, liver spots or solar lentigines. These flat ovals of dark pigmentation tend to appear in areas that most exposed to the sun, such as the face, shoulders, arms, and the back of the hands.
Sun spots resemble large freckles and can grow up to ½ inch (13 millimetres) wide. They occur when melanin has been produced in high concentrations and may sometimes develop close to one another. Frequent or intense sun exposure and having naturally light skin make you more likely to develop sun spots.
They may be unsightly, but they won't cause you any harm. However, they're a sign that your skin has suffered more sun exposure than it should.
Sun spots can sometimes be confused with a melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. If a sun spot is black, itchy, increasing in size or has an irregular border, always have it checked by a qualified healthcare professional.
Actinic keratosis , also known as solar keratosis, is another type of skin condition caused by sun damage. This results in dry, scaly patches, usually between one and two cm in size. These patches can be pink, red or brown, and may feel itchy. They mostly appear of areas of the body that receive a lot of sun exposure, such as the face, hands, arms, scalp, and legs.
There's a small chance they could become skin cancer, so it's important to avoid further damage to your skin and get any new patches checked by your doctor.
Some of the 'aging' we see on our skin is actually due to sun damage. The skin proteins collagen and elastin deplete over time and production slows. Collagen is the scaffolding protein responsible for the skin's structure and firmness, while elastin gives the skin flexibility and the ability to bounce back and retain tautness. We also lose moisture in the skin as we age.
UV light from the sun and tanning beds can damage the collagen and elastin in our skin and dry it out. This is why people with regular and/or high exposure to the sun can often have more wrinkles.
Microneedling is also known as collagen induction therapy. This is because it stimulates the production of collagen—and elastin, too.
While it's a very safe treatment, it's not suitable if you're pregnant, immunosuppressed or taking anticoagulants. It's also not recommended if you suffer with eczema or psoriasis, and it shouldn't be used on areas of keloid scarring (raised or 'bubbly' scars). If you have rosacea, seek professional advice first. The suitability of microneedling for your condition may depend on the type of rosacea you have and what triggers it.
A practitioner will use a device equipped with fine needles (around 0.5mm–1mm long) to gently puncture the affected areas of the skin. To heal these tiny punctures, your body will produce collagen and elastin.
Treatments are usually given monthly or every six weeks.
In the days leading up to your treatment, ensure you stay well-hydrated, as this will help to reduce any side-effects. Avoid anything that may cause skin irritation.
Your skin may be inflamed after a microneedling session, or even a little bruised. These side-effects should be minor and shouldn't last more than a few days. Avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise for a few days, to protect the skin and allow it to heal.
Microneedling can be very effective, resulting in smoother, firmer skin and reducing the appearance of blemishes, including those caused by sun damage. Expect to have a few treatments before you begin to see good results; several treatments may be needed to achieve maximum effect.
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