Dr. Steven Selchow Discusses How the Sun Can Damage Skin

As the owner and Medical Director of Rejuv Skin & Laser Clinic, Steven Selchow, DDS, frequently treats patients with sun-damaged skin. The sun supplies valuable vitamin D to the skin in controlled amounts. However, uncontrolled sun exposure can lead to damage that includes discoloration, premature wrinkling, or skin cancer. In the following, Steven Selchow, DDS, talks about how the sun can damage skin. Dr. Selchow also offers tips on how to avoid sun damage.

As your exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation increases, the skin attempts to protect itself from dangerous rays by producing melanocytes, skin cells that produce melanin. Melanin represents the brown pigment responsible for a suntan and the darkened skin protects deeper layers from further sun damage. Increased melanin production can lead to sunspots or an uneven, mottled appearance that accumulates over time. Sunlight can also cause thinning of the epidermis and a rapid breakdown of collagen, which is responsible for the skin’s elasticity. As the collagen fibers attempt to reform, they may do so in a disorganized fashion. Over time, this results in increased wrinkles. The skin also absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which may then influence the growth of normal skin cells. As a result, malignant growths may form instead of healthy cells, potentially leading to basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and malignant melanoma.

While cosmetic sun damage may be minimized through procedures such as photorejuvenation, the best way to protect your skin is through prevention. This includes limiting the time spent in the sun, avoiding tanning booths or lamps, and always wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. Likewise, avoid being in the sun when the rays are strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and remember that clouds and windows do not protect you from UV radiation. For more information about the photorejuvenation process, please visit RejuvSkinandLaser.com.