Dentist and Skin Care Blog from Boston's Area Leading Dental Office

Everybody loves a sunny day, but the sun doesn’t love your skin. Neither will you, when you see the damage excessive sun exposure can cause. Uneven pigmentation starts showing up quickly, for example. This is caused by over-production of melanin, the substance your skin’s cells produce to protect themselves from harmful rays. When evenly distributed, melanin produces a suntan, but when it clumps up, as it does with age, the result is skin covered with small “polka dots”—an undesirable look! 

Too much sun can also cause permanent capillary stretching, which makes skin look red and mottled. Solar lentigines, commonly called age spots, appear on areas most exposed to solar rays, such as the face and hands. In addition, sun damage leads to solar elastosis, in which ultraviolet radiation breaks down the supportive collagen and elastin fibers. Without these underlying supports, wrinkles and sagging skin are inevitable.

Finally, skin cancer is the biggest sun-related concern. Unlike purely cosmetic changes caused by sun exposure, skin cancer can be deadly. The incidence of skin cancer is increasing as a result of changes in the ozone layer and the growing use of tanning beds, which should be strictly avoided.

Prevention is a lot easier and more effective than treating sun damage once it has occurred. Your best defense is the consistent use of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. It should be reapplied every two to three hours when you are outdoors. Remember that you are susceptible to radiation even on cloudy or overcast days.

The best treatment for skin stressed by sun exposure is a hydrating facial that incorporates antioxidants such as Vitamins A and C. Smile and Skin Aesthetics facials also include a lactic acid mask to exfoliate dead skin cells. You’ll see immediate improvements in your skin’s texture and firmness, as well as experiencing soft, smooth hydration. Our hydrating facial is also available as part of our spa packages—so call today to schedule your sun damage consultation.