Sun Damage

The sun is one of the worst offenders when it comes to your skin’s age-related decline. Board-certified dermatologists Kunal Angra, MD, and Divya Angra, MD, and the team at Sapphire Dermatology provide treatments for various types of sun damage at their offices in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Reston, Virginia. Call Sapphire Dermatology or schedule an appointment online for a professional skin exam and treatment consultation today.

What does sun damage look like?

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage your skin and the underlying tissues. You can’t see some of the damage the sun causes to your skin, but it accumulates over time to result in premature aging and many visible features. 

Some changes that UV damage can cause to your skin include:

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Age spots
• Skin laxity
• Spider veins
• Hyperpigmentation
• Precancerous lesions

Your appearance might be your primary concern with many of these changes. However, sun damage can also lead to skin cancer, which is harmful to your skin and your overall health. Sapphire Dermatology offers full-body skin exams to detect skin cancer in early and treatable stages. 

How is sun damage treated?

You can’t reverse sun damage that has already happened to your skin, but there are a variety of treatments available to minimize the appearance of spots, wrinkles, and other features that appear over time. 

The team at Sapphire Dermatology specializes in treating or managing your sun damage with:

• Prescription retinoids
• Laser resurfacing
• Chemical peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Intense pulsed light (IPL)
• Ultrasound or radiofrequency skin tightening
• Cosmetic Botox® and dermal fillers

Your treatment recommendations hinge on which features you’re most determined to treat. If your main concerns are wrinkles and skin laxity, for example, skin tightening services may be your best option for noninvasive sun damage treatment. 

How can I prevent sun damage in the future? 

Preventing sun damage in the first place is the only way to make sure your skin has the least possible amount of discoloration and laxity. Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can avoid direct exposure to UV rays. 

The team at Sapphire Dermatology encourages you to invest in a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. You should apply sunscreen every day and make sure you re-apply it regularly if you spend time in the sun. 

You should also avoid tanning beds and other artificial UV light sources altogether to minimize sun damage as they can also damage your skin. 

For more information on sun damage and the treatments that improve it, call Sapphire Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.