Sun Exposure

Skin pigmentation, melasma, lentigo, seborrheic keratosis—some of these terms may be unfamiliar to you, but they are all harmful side effects of sun exposure. Below we describe these conditions in more detail, as well as how to reduce your sun exposure and what you can do if you develop skin pigmentation as a result of prolonged sun exposure.

Skin Pigmentation

Among the negative effects of prolonged sun exposure is skin pigmentation at the top of the list.

Normally, skin pigmentation only affects the part of the skin that we see, and in most cases it causes brown patches or uneven skin tone. Skin pigmentation is caused by the sun’s UV rays penetrating deeply into the skin, which then causes melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) to produce melanin (the skin pigment) in an excessive and uneven manner.

Melasma

Melasma is commonly regarded as a skin pigmentation problem. The primary cause behind Melasma is a hormonal imbalance in the body, but exposure to the sun can trigger it and exacerbate it.

Women are more prone to suffer from Melasma than men. It can be distinguished by irregular brown or grey-brown skin patches that commonly affect the face. The suggested at home treatment method for Melasma is to take on a committed sunscreen regimen. Other than that, if you wish to seek medical assistance, Melasma can be controlled with regular Laser Treatment and Masks.

Lentigo

Lentigo is another skin pigmentation condition that often occurs in people above 40 years old. This condition is sometimes also known as solar lentigo.

Lentigo is caused by UV radiation from the sun, but luckily it is completely harmless. It is distinguished by a small dark spot with a distinct edge. These spots will normally appear on the areas of the skin that is exposed to the sun. Generally these dark spots are harmless, however, if left treated, it will darken with age. It is a structural issue, as opposed to Melasma, and thus will not return once treated. If proper care is not taken, new lentigo may appear elsewhere on the face, but this can be avoided with thorough care.

Seborrheic Keratosis

Unlike the previous mentioned conditions, seborrheic keratosis is not directly linked to sun exposure. Seborrheic keratosis is a condition where growths appear on the skin, especially on sun-exposed areas. The fact that it appears in these specific areas provides more evidence that there is a linkage between seborrheic keratosis and sun exposure.

How to reduce sun exposure

Unlike the past, today we have access to so much information and knowledge which can assist us in reversing sun damage, and even better, preventing sun damage altogether.

  • A proper sunscreen regimen is vital – Integrate sunscreen into your daily face regimen. Sunscreen is the first-line prevention method for pigmentation issues. This is the easiest and among the least expensive prevention methods compared to laser treatments.
  • Stay out of the sun during peak hours – Avoid direct exposure to the sun during 10am to 4pm as these are the times the sun is at its strongest.
  • Opt for protective clothing – Your face naturally gets more sun exposure so you have to take extra measures to protect it against harmful UV rays from the sun. The easiest way to do this is by wearing a hat that shades your face. As for the rest of your body, opt for tightly knitted clothing to block out UV rays.
  • Wear sunglasses – When choosing sunglasses ensure that they are able to block UVB and UVA rays. This will ensure your eyes are protected in order to avoid ocular problems such as cataracts.

Treatment Option

Laser treatment is recommended if skin pigmentation has occurred as a direct or indirect result of prolonged sun exposure. Laser pigmentation removal is a non-invasive laser treatment that is very effective and has yielded promising results.

For those seeking medical assistance regarding laser treatments, we highly recommend our professional team at Quiklaser for any laser treatments. We are revolutionizing skincare with exclusive non-invasive laser facials which are based on over 30 years of clinical experience.

Want to Consult a Professional?

If you by any chance suffer from one of the above mentioned conditions related to excessive sun exposure and wish to consult a professional on this matter then you came to the right place.

Quiklaser provides an innovative Quick Cleaning System (QCS) that dissolves melanin pigments in the skin. This procedure is done using a safe and scientific approach, enabling the body to naturally eliminate these broken-down particles from the system, and as a result lightening and reducing pigmentation.

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