Some form of radiation exists all around us, and a lot of it is fairly harmless and often used to power our modern world. Radiowaves, microwaves, X-rays, natural light, and infrared all play important roles in some facet of our lives and exist naturally in the environment in some capacity. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is another example that comes directly from the sun and can be found in tanning beds, different types of lasers, and halogen, fluorescent, and incandescent lights.
In proper doses, UV rays can provide your body with Vitamin D and other benefits, but exposure to too much of it can lead to sun-damaged skin, or photoaging. The effects of this condition can range from sunburn to different types of skin cancer, but fortunately, not only are there ways to prevent it, but we can help you with treatment options if you develop sun-damaged skin. Let’s examine your options by looking at what types of UV rays can damage skin, who’s at risk, and what can be done to prevent and treat it.
If you live in the Lake Oswego, Oregon, area and deal with the effects of sun-damaged skin, the team of doctors at Lake Grove ENT can help you get it treated.
With UV rays, different types of radiation can damage your skin in different ways:
Time of day can directly affect your risk of sun damage, as exposure to the sun’s UV rays is strongest between the late morning and mid to late afternoon (10:00 am-4:00 pm). The amount of UV rays is also affected by the time of year (it’s strongest in the spring and summer), your geographical latitude (closer to the equator means less distance for the rays to travel), altitude, and ozone layer and cloud cover in your area.
Several factors can increase your risk of getting sun damage when you’re outside, including having lighter skin, working long hours outside as part of your job, outdoor activities that put you in direct sunlight for long periods, living in areas with lots of sun, and getting older. Photoaging often creates cosmetic changes on your skin, such as wrinkles and age spots; however, continuous overexposure can lead to several types of skin cancer, such as melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Here are some methods to prevent and treat sun damage to your skin:
If you’re going to be in direct sunlight during peak UV hours, sunscreen is one of the most effective options to prevent sun damage. Be sure to get sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and apply it regularly every two hours. Wearing wide-brimmed hats, UV sunglasses, and long-sleeved clothing with UV protection can also help a great deal to reduce overexposure. If you don’t have to be outside during peak hours, avoid it as much as possible and avoid tanning beds altogether.
We use a variety of methods to treat sun damage. Topical treatments like retinol and retinoids can help to remove damaged skin so healthier new skin can grow. Laser skin treatments can also be used to help with sun damage, like laser resurfacing. We also offer injectables like Botox® and dermal fillers.
Sun-damaged skin affects millions of people yearly, but you don’t have to live with it, and we can help. Make an appointment with the team at Lake Grove ENT today to find out what method for treating this condition works best for you.
