Staying out of the sun is the best way to protect your skin from sun damage, but it’s not possible to stay at home for this rising working generation living on such a hectic schedule from day to night. But due to the continuous rise in global warming, the earth’s temperature and weather patterns are shifting drastically. Like last summer, Kanpur recorded the hottest day of the season with 38.5 degrees Celsius, which was 4.5 degrees more than the normal value, and severe levels of UV radiation cause free radical damage, scorching sunburns, worsen premature ageing and leave compound consequences on our skin.
Even if you don’t experience a burn, there may still be long-term effects buried beneath the skin such as dark spots, loss of facial elasticity, wrinkles or skin cancer, which is among the most common cancers in the world.
Majority of skin cancers are a result of exposure to the harmful UV rays in sunlight. Our skin cells’ DNA gets damaged by excessive UV radiation from the sun and sunbed. If enough DNA damage builds up over time, the cells begin to grow out of control, which may lead to cancer. However, even the most intense UV rays lack the power to penetrate deeply into the body; as a result, their main impact is directly on the skin. Therefore, it is essential to shield your skin from sun damage.
Protect Yourself From Ultraviolet(UV) Rays
Use Sunscreens Regularly
Make it a habit to apply sunscreen after moisturiser before you go out in the sun.
Seek The Shade
In particular, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Don’t Get Sunburned
Wear all your protective gears to stay safe from sun burns.
Wear UV Protected Sunglasses
Carefully read the label before making a purchase because lenses that seem dark do not necessarily provide UV protection.
Avoid Tanning
Do not use UV tanning beds or tan at all.
Wear Protective Clothing
Cover yourself with lightweight and long sleeved clothes. In addition dark colours offer more protection than light colours.
A Wide-brimmed Hat
A hat is a simple and effective way to cover your face and neck. Choose a hat with a broader brim so that it also protects your ear.
Wear Shoes
Wear shoes, socks or sandals that cover the top of your feet. Be sure to apply sunscreen to all exposed skin.
Use a Broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) Sunscreen
Make sure to use broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen every day with an SPF of 15 or higher. Use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when engaging in prolonged outdoor activity.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen
30 minutes before going outside, and cover your entire body with 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen. Apply again every two hours, after swimming, or if you sweat a lot.
Keep infants out of the sun
Apply sunscreen to infants who are older than six months.
Examine Your Skin
Every month, check your skin from head to toe thoroughly.
See a Dermatologist
Our dermatologists suggest seeking advice with a specialist, for a professional skin examination at least once a year.
What can Dermatologists do to Treat Sun-Damage?
Although photodamage(also called sun damage or solar damage) cannot be totally repaired, the following therapies can frequently help reduce it:
Lasers
Laser surgery can help make your skin healthier and help treat precancerous changes in addition to looking younger after the procedure.
Chemical Peels
Dermatologists can get rid of brown spots and actinic keratoses and rejuvenate photoaged skin by administering chemicals like trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid to the skin.
Photodynamic Therapy
This treatment helps to get rid of precancerous cells that can be caused by the sun. The doctor applies a topical medication to the skin and then activates a blue or red fluorescent light, a medication that kills precancerous cells but spares normal cells.
Topical Medicines
Certain medications, such as topical retinoid medications (such as tretinoin), may be prescribed to even out skin tone and correct roughness and lines caused by photoaging.
Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen is sometimes used to freeze noncancerous age spots or actinic keratoses, and after a few days, the spots will darken and shed off.
When to Get Medical Advice
Our dermatologists recommend an in-depth examination of your skin at least once a month. It can be difficult to distinguish between non-cancerous spots and cancerous ones. So it’s best to consult a doctor if you notice any skin abnormality, such as sores, lumps, scratchy, crusty or bleeding spots, or skin discoloration that hasn’t healed for more than four weeks. While it’s unlikely to be skin cancer, early discovery is the best way to ensure that it can be treated successfully. Please, seek medical attention immediately.
Skin doctors from Dermatrichs are skilled and experienced in caring for the skin and are regularly faced with identifying, treating, and counselling patients with skin cancer.
Book an Appointment with a Dermatologist Today
Finding the right dermatologist in Kanpur who can assist you with photoaging and physical assessments of colour, skin temperature, moisture level, skin turgor, and any lesions or breakdown, could be the first step towards early detection of treatable skin cancer. The top dermatologists in Kanpur can be found at Dermatrichs. They are skilled and offer specialised care that is catered to each patient’s needs. So don’t put it off any longer; make an appointment with a dermatologist right now to get started on the path to reducing the risk of grave skin concerns.
We appreciate you for reading. Watch this space for additional blogs from Dermatrichs Clinic. Please email us at dermatrichs@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns; we will be happy to assist you. We look forward to hearing from you very soon! Be Safe This Summer!
