Although sun-kissed skin might look attractive, tanning your skin is not healthy. Exposing your skin to the sun does not just put you at risk of skin cancer; it can also damage your skin and make it look older. It is important to recognize the early signs of sun damaged skin. The sooner you recognize sun damaged skin, the sooner you can visit your Austin dermatologist and treat it.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is one of the most common signs of sun damaged skin. If your skin appears very dry and flaky, it is likely has been damaged from the sun. It is important to change your skin care routine if your skin is that dry. You should use a very heavy moisturizer that contains glycerin, pyroglutamic acid or lactic acid. You should also avoid taking hot baths and showers for a while because they can make your skin even drier.
Sunburn
Sunburn is another sign of sun damaged skin. If you get a mild sunburn (first-degree burn), it will be red and a little painful. If you get a severe sunburn (second- or third-degree burn), you may experience nausea, dizziness and blisters. One of the best ways to treat a sunburn is to apply a cold compress to your skin. It will remove some of the heat, making your skin feel better. You can also apply some Aloe Vera gel to your sunburned skin.
Freckles
Freckles are small, light brown spots that are normally caused by sun damage. They can appear anywhere on your body including your face, arms and legs. There are several ways to get rid of freckles including bleaching creams, laser treatment and chemical peels. These treatments can reduce the appearance of freckles on the skin.
Wrinkles
More than 80% of the signs of skin aging in adults are the result of the tans they had as teens before the age of 18. That’s because over time, the sun’s ultraviolet light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When the elastin your skin breaks down, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its elasticity.
As you can see, there are several early signs of sun damaged skin. If your skin shows any of these symptoms, you need to start taking better care of your skin. The first thing you should do is make an appointment to see a dermatologist at Four Points Dermatology. Your doctor will examine your skin and see how bad the damage is. Austin dermatology will provide the best care for you sun damaged skin so that it looks healthy again.
