The sun is very useful to us – it dries clothes, warms our toes, gives us an excuse for ice cream, compels us to dive into the pool, and allows us to get that great summer tan. We love the sun! But there is always that one annoying thing that manages to put a damper on things. And although we can’t seem to get enough of it, our beloved sun is the major cause of wrinkles, skin aging and cancer.
So what does excessive exposure to the sun do to your skin?
It significantly reduces the skin’s immune function that paves the way for the development of precancerous and cancerous skin lesions. Clinical studies have also shown that too much sun can lead to the development of benign tumors on your skin.
Over time, you will begin to notice the appearance of freckles, sunspots, and discolored patches of skin. In some cases the skin begins to show a yellowish discoloration as well.
Telangiectasia, or more commonly known as spider veins, may also begin to develop close to the skins surface. This is a result of the dilation of the tiny blood vessels because of intense heat from the sun.
One of the most detrimental effects of the sun is the actual destruction of the collagen in the skin, as well as other elastic tissues. This leads to it’s premature aging resulting in the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
A personal consultation with Dr. Kathleen Behr will give you all the information that you need about the effects of sun exposure on your skin, to schedule your personal appointment today call 559-435-SKIN (7546) or visit our clinic at 1125 E. Spruce Ave. Suite 207 Fresno, CA 93720.
