Somelook forward to bathing in the summer sun, while others dread it and hide in the shadows. Skin damage caused by sun exposure is a major health issue for thousands of people in the United States. Tanning won't just damage skin and create fine lines and wrinkles– it could also cause skin cancer.
"Sunburns occur when UVB rays damage the outer most layer of skin."
Sunburns occur when UVB rays – high-energy wavelengths emitted by the sun – damage the outermost layer of skin called the epidermis. When we burn, these rays cause our skin to produce inflammatory mediators, resulting in swelled blood vessels and redness.
Consistent exposure may even cause UVB rays to devastate the genetic makeup of our epidermis. This damages our skin, producing spots, wrinkles or worse –cancer. But it doesn't stop there. Our skin is a natural healer and these rays interfere with its curative process.
If you don't wear skin protection, you need to. Dr. Steven Wang,director of dermatologic surgery and dermatology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, noted that the higher the SPF sunscreen the better. However, protection wanes once SPF reaches level 50.
For those who already have skin damage caused by the sun, you're not out of luck. We first suggest minimizing sun exposure as much as possible. Next, think about scheduling facial rejuvenation with dual-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Marotta of Marotta Facial Plastic Surgery Specialists.
Facial rejuvenation surgery can bring back that youthful appearance – the same one you had before the sun took it away. The types of surgeries you can schedule include endoscopic MidFace, EZ Lift mini facelifts and facelifts.
If you're not sure which one is best for you, talk to Dr. Marotta, the best plastic surgeon on Long Island, who can provide recommendations based on your specific health needs.
