With the long, hot days of summer finally upon us at Sun City, a word of caution is needed for those amongst us who spend many hours daily enjoying the “great outdoors.” If you’re like me, you love the warmth of the sun and the tan that makes you “look so good.” What you probably don’t realize, however, is the fact that the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) is even more damaging to aged skin. Phototoxicity, Photoallergy, and Skin-Induced Eczema are just three conditions that can produce this skin damage.
Phototoxicity is a fairly common drug-induced sun sensitivity which occurs when the sun’s UV rays interact with a medicine you are taking. This interaction can cause an immediate sunburn to your skin. Some medications (not all) to watch for can be found in the following groups: NSAIDS, Antibiotics, Statins, Hypoglycemics, Diuretics, Sunscreens, and a few fragrances. Always read the prescription packet information for warnings on sun exposure while using the medication you are taking.
A more rare Photoallergy, or sun sensitivity, occurs when UV rays convert a chemical (for example, a fragrance on your skin) into a substance that your immune system decides to attack. This can happen within only five minutes to as long as a whole day of sun exposure. While it may take one to two days to appear, an itchy, red rash can take several days to disappear.
Caused by the entire immune system “going crazy,” another rare condition known as Skin-Induced Eczema can be found in older men who have spent their life working in outdoor occupations. Older women who enjoy an excessive amount of sunbathing or who have sunbathed over a great number of years are also candidates for this problem. This eczema can produce itchy, red skin, even blisters, which appear gradually over a period of years.
In addition to these problems, visual results of sun-induced skin-aging appear in the senior years of our lives. The skin protects itself from the sun by an increased production of melanin, which causes the skin to darken. Uneven pigmentation known as age spots can appear in increased amounts and sizes year after year. They will be more noticeable on your face, hands, arms, and upper back. Also as we age, UV rays break down the connective tissues of collagen and elastin fibers within the skin. This causes the skin to lose its strength and flexibility. Just one physical result of this process can be seen in increased wrinkling.
Of course, the most dangerous situation which occurs from sun-damaged skin is the production of cancerous tumors. While Basal Cell and Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma are associated with childhood exposure, Squamous Cell tumors are associated with long-term exposure to the sun. Areas of skin cancer occur most frequently in the parts of the skin most exposed to the sun, such as the face and forearms. Although Malignant Melanoma is the most dangerous of the three, all of these tumors should be found early to reduce their aggressiveness. According to Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a thirty-year-long Miami dermatologist, “The frequency and aggressive nature of skin cancer has made it the number one Skin Problem today.” She recommends sun avoidance.
Then what does a Sun City active adult do to protect himself from the sun’s rays? Television’s Dr. Mehmet Oz would like to see all seniors follow these guidelines: 1) Limit sun use. Avoid the sun during peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2) Wear long-sleeved clothing of a tightly woven materials (such as cotton). 3) Use the correct sunscreen. Look for the following ingredients which block the most dangerous of UV rays (the UVA rays): avobenzone, dioxybenzone, ecamsule, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Any head covering, especially large-rimmed hats, are also helpful, according to experts. Macular degeneration, an eye disease which also appears in the later years of life, has been found to be the result of many years of profound exposure to the sun. Therefore, experts also recommend the use of sunglasses at all times while outdoors. Finally, to produce new skin cells to replace damaged subdermal skin cells, dermatologists recommend the use of hydroxy acids on your skin. These acids can be found in a variety of skin care products such as creams, serums, and lotions. However, these acids exfoliate the topmost layers of skin, which function as a protective barrier to the sun’s rays, so sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher is a must after application of these acids.
Some say that “beauty is only skin deep.” Whether this is factual or not, let’s keep our skin beautiful by keeping it healthy at the same time. Enjoy the summer, but heed the advice of our skin experts. Play carefully in the “great outdoors!”
