Medical Encyclopedia

Photo damaged or sun damaged skin is something that few people escape. Photo damage occurs because of the skin being exposed to sunlight. It does not depend on whether or not we intentionally suntan.

Photo damage to the skin manifests itself in a variety of ways like advanced ageing or wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, rough or scaly patches, small blood vessels or red markings, thinned or fragile skin, freckles and skin cancer. All these skin changes come forth as a result of the prolonged sun exposure and are likely to develop mostly on the areas of chronic exposure such as the face, ears, neck, backs of the hands, chest and legs.

However, sun damage of the skin may be acute as in a sunburn or chronic seen as gradual changes in the skin caused by the accumulation of sun exposure throughout one's life. Chronic changes result either in a cosmetic change in the skin's appearance or changes of medical concerns like pre-cancerous lesions and skin cancers. Thus, the ultraviolet light hides an excessive danger for the skin causing various dangers to it. Moreover, chronic sun exposure usually produces a thickened layer in the upper dermis known as solar elastosis which gives a yellowish skin look. One will not avoid a feeling of rough skin with its laxity and looseness with the signs of patchy or mottles darker patches of increased pigmentation. In areas around the back of the neck a leathery texture and coarseness with deep lines is frequently seen with the skin being dry and scaly.

Since the sunlight is dangerous for the skin one should always try to protect themselves from it by using regular sunscreen. If there is a case of photo damage there are a number of products and treatments available to get the skin cured.

Dermatologists prescribe drugs containing tretinoin substance such as Retin-A. Retin-A prescription became first popular more than 20 years ago for acne treatment. But other benefits of the drug were discovered and it became evident that Retin-A possesses qualities for the treatments of photo damaged skin. It significantly improves skin wrinkles, mottles hyperpigmentation, laxity and roughness of the skin caused by the prolonged sun exposure. Retin-A has demonstrated its ability to work perfectly on the molecular level. Consistent use of Retin-A normalizes the cells functioning causing skin cells to turn over rapidly. A great benefit of Retin-A is that it affects the retention of collagen. Collagen gives skin its structure, firmness and elasticity. Repeated sun exposure breaks down collagen so that cells produce less collagen to repair the sun damage. Retin-A does double duty in helping boost collagen. It has a potential to stop photo ageing before it starts. After UV exposure Retin-A prevents the rise of collagenase which breaks down collagen. Regular use of Retin-A increases the amount of new collagen which will last for years in the body.