How Sunburn Affects the Skin
It is that time of the year for us to venture outside and enjoy the bright sunny days of spring and summer time. For most of us, the rays from the sun make us both feel and look good. However, exposure to the sun causes wrinkles in the face as well as age spots. When we someone with a glowing bronze skin tone from the sun or tanning bed we see that as good skin conditions, when in reality, it speeds up the effects of aging and increases your chance for skin cancer. At Eastside Dermatology, we want you to have the best skin possible. Here is a look at how the sun affects your skin.
Our skin uses sunlight to help produce vitamin D in the body which helps skin conditions, helps build bones, and helps boost your immune system. However, being exposed to sun long periods of time without the proper precautions can damage your skin and leave you at risk for other health conditions.
Within the make up of the layer of skin (epidermal) are tiny cells that include the pigment melanin. Melanin helps protect the skin from ultraviolet rays, which can burn your skin, and over time can decrease the skin’s elasticity and cause a person’s skin to age prematurely. Have you ever been to the beach and seen the elderly lady who is over tanned and looks like she is in a suit of rubber? We want to help you to avoid that state and protect your skin as much as possible.
Having too much contact with the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause sunburn to the skin. These UV rays hit the outer layer of skin and penetrate down into deeper layers where they can damage and kill skin cells. People with low amounts of melanin tend to burn easier than others. Low amounts of melanin usually leave people with a more pale skin tone. These people should protect themselves by covering up sensitive areas, wearing sunscreen, limit the amount of time in the sun during the times the sun is highest, mainly between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Extensive and regular exposure to the sun’s UV rays over many years is the number one cause of skin cancer. Make sure you examine your skin regularly to look for the development of odd growths or changes in an existing skin lesion. Detecting these things early is the key to decreasing skin cancer.
If you notice something on your skin that shouldn’t be there, don’t hesitate to call and contact us. Catching skin cancers early is the best way get rid of it. For more information about skin cancer and our services, visit us to learn more.