Summer Skin: Sun Damage & Hyperpigmentation
By summer’s end, your skin routine may begin to change. You should be trading water-based moisturizers for creamier ones, but still using SPF 30 daily because sun damage and hyperpigmentation can affect your skin even as the weather cools down.
Sun damage is what happens to your skin when the accumulation of sun exposure alters your skin’s DNA cells. Continued damage from the sun can cause your skin to become dry, flaky or even prematurely wrinkled. These changes to your skin happen over time- not just in the summer. Damage happens as a result of continued exposure and not enough protection (applying SPF 30 every two hours).
Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by sun damage. It is the darkening of a patch of skin caused by increased melanin production. When you tan, sometimes you burn a little at first but you slowly build up a tolerance. That’s your skin increasing its melanin production. Hyperpigmentation can be spread all over your skin or simply confined to smaller areas such as your face or the back of your hands. It could also indicate underlying causes.
There is an easy way to prevent sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Moisturize and protect your skin with at least SPF 30 throughout the year. Make sure you drink enough fluids and exfoliate once or twice a week. Feel free to speak with one of our certified physicians about any splotches of darker color you notice on your skin.
If you have any questions about skin protection or any changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians in Knoxville to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.
