It is no secret that too much time in the sun can cause painful sunburns and even sun poisoning. The damage that the sun is doing overtime is not as immediately evident as sunburn is, but it’s still something to be avoided. According to River Place Dermatology, the sun’s harmful effects add up over time to equal premature aging. Though the aging effects can be seen all over the body, these three areas show telltale signs of too much sun especially quickly.
First Parts of the Body to Age from Sun Damage:
Face. Regardless of the season or other attire worn, your face is subjected to the sun every single time you go outdoors. The daily exposure results in damage to the face’s delicate skin, resulting in age spots, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles. The sun also contributes to the breakdown of collagen. Collagen makes skin lose its elasticity and youthful appearance. Dermatologists can perform treatments to help reduce some of these problems, but nothing is more effective than prevention.
Neck and Chest. Like your face, your neck and upper chest area are the victims of frequent sun exposure. Even the people who remember to apply sun block to their faces often neglect to cover their necks and chests. With continued unprotected time in the sun, the skin on the neck can begin to wrinkle and sag. The skin on the chest is likely to become freckled and leathery. Makeup may help hide some of these problems on the face, but it is difficult to hide these problems on the face and neck.
Hands. An old adage says that you can tell someone’s true age by looking at their hands. This is likely true because as your hands are exposed to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet (UV) light as you are outdoors and as you drive a car, they become one of the first things to age. The thin skin on the hands is likely to develop age spots and become thinner and paper-like. With hands such a prominent tool in working, playing, and communicating, you likely want to keep them looking their best by keeping them protected from the sun as much as possible.
Even worse than the cosmetic damage caused by sun damage are the health risks it poses. Extended sun exposure increases your risk of various types of skin cancer, including the deadly melanoma. Thankfully, you can take practical steps to help prevent the sun’s powerful rays from causing both faster signs of aging and increased cancer risks.
What You Can Do to Prevent Sun Damage:
Lather Up. Cover these three areas (and the rest of your body) with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 each day, no matter the weather. Be generous in your application and reapply every two to three hours or anytime you get wet, including washing your hands.
Be Sun Smart. Take simple steps to further increase your protection. Seek the protection of shaded areas, hats, and gloves to slow down the aging process. Stay indoors as much as possible during the sun’s peak hours of 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Simple steps like these can make a big impact on keeping your skin younger and healthier. Make them habits now and you will be pleased with the results as you grow older.
Dr. Nicholas Snavely and the team at River Place Mohs & Dermatologic Surgery Center are experts in Mohs Surgery and other skin cancer treatments. For more information, you can connect with him on Facebook.
