Sun Damage & Photoaging
What is photoaging?
Photoaging is damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light from the sun. It is different than chronological aging. Prolonged and repeated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) prematurely ages the skin by accelerating skin aging.
Wrinkles, fine lines, dryness and pigment changes are unavoidable skin changes caused by chronological aging. However, 90% of visible skin changes, including skin cancer, are the direct result of repetitive exposure to the sun’s damaging rays. The damage is caused by sun’s radiation which creates oxidative stress that deteriorates collagen, the foundation of the skin, and skin elasticity; and damages the DNA of skin cells causing skin cancer.
According to skincancer.org*, although sunlight is the main cause of skin aging, about 10% of skin damage comes from HEV and infrared light. While neither of these has been linked to skin cancer, they do degenerate collagen and skin elasticity as well as pigmentation changes.
What is HEV?
HEV stands for High Energy Visible light, also known as blue light. Blue light penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV radiation, accelerating the degeneration of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid; and pigmentation changes common in aging. The result is age spots, freckles, wrinkles and sagging skin. Blue light comes from the sun but is also emitted by your phone, computer and tablet screens. Recent research is reporting on its destructive effects on the skin.
What are the signs of photoaging?
Typical changes include fine and deep wrinkles due to deterioration of elastic tissues and collagen, irregular pigmentation, dark spots, texture changes including rough and leathery skin, uneven tone and dullness, broken and dilated blood vessels, and actinic keratosis (small, red, rough and scaly precancerous lesions).
How to prevent photoaging?
The damage is caused by oxidative stress on the skin tissues. Sunscreen is your best anti-aging defense. Sunscreens that filters UV rays reduce oxidative stress but don’t prevent the damage caused by blue light. To reduce blue light damage, it is important to detoxify the skin with plant – derived antioxidants.
The best sunscreen is a physical block containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide of at least 30 SPF. Sunscreens that contain DNA repair enzymes can help to undo damage.
Speak with Dr. Higgins about her suggested treatments to prevent photoaging, reduce blue light damage and enhance your anti-aging regiment.
How to treat photoaged skin?
To treat sun damaged skin certain ingredients like Vitamin C and E and green tea are antioxidants that can help to brighten the skin and discolorations.
Professional treatments for sun damage include:
- First line treatment: Topical Retinoids (bioactive metabolite of vitamin A) are beneficial in the treatment of photoaging. Vitamin A is an important constituent of the skin and plays a crucial role in skin turnover. A deficiency of vitamin A in the skin is a result of sunlight, oxidative stress and chronological aging. Topical retinoids protect against photoaging, chronological aging and oxidative stress. Use will significantly decrease surface wrinkles and hyperpigmentation as well as exfoliating the skin for a clearer complexion.
- Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections will improve both fine and course texture, wrinkles and skin tone. PRP is a derivative of whole blood with wound healing and tissue regeneration properties. PRP in combination with microneedling is effective for facial rejuvenation. Microneedling is collagen induction therapy that can restore lost collagen and elastin for firmer, tighter skin.
- IPL photofacial uses (Intense pulsed light) can treat reverse the signs of aging by using high intensity pulsed light to activate the skin’s normal healing response to rejuvenate the skin. It exfoliates skin discolorations and stimulates production of new collagen and elastin to restore structure and function lost from photoaging.
- Q Switch YAG targets removes pigment related skin problems.
- Fractional laser skin resurfacing is an anti-aging procedure that penetrates the skin to remove the effects of photoaging including wrinkles, scars and discolorations.
- Microdermabrasion is a procedure to exfoliate the upper skin layer to reduce the signs of aging including photoaging.
- Chemical Peels treat lines, wrinkles and discolorations.
- Bleaching agents can improve the appearance of dark spots
- Dermal injectables can fill lines and wrinkles and volumizing fillers like Sculptra and Radiesse can add back lost volume from lost collagen and fat; and some stimulate collagen production.
- Ultrasound and radiofrequency treatments can firm the skin.
Dr. Heather Higgins is a board-certified dermatologist in North Carolina who has the skills and expertise to address all you skin concerns including photoaging. Contact her at her dermatology practice in Asheville. You will always receive compassionate, comprehensive care based on your needs and goals.
*https://www.skincancer.org/blog/photoaging-what-you-need-to-know/
