Skin aging is normal over the years, but have you heard of photoaging ? Photoaging is a phenomenon that occurs when the sun causes premature aging of your skin. Of course, premature skin aging from sun exposure is not healthy for your skin. Below we will explore some fascinating but significant details about the dermatological effects of sun exposure.
Introduction of photoaging
You may think that skin care is not important, “aesthetic issues” of little importance. However, the skin is one more organ of our body. Yes, an organ, in fact, the largest organ in our body. Well, the main problem with photoaging is that it increases the risk of skin cancer. Some dermatologists use instead of this term, ” photodamage “, damage caused by (solar) light. The term is also correct as long as it refers to the type of light in question, since it is produced when ultraviolet rays hit the skin without sun protection. Lacking protection, these rays are able to penetrate further than we would like, to deeper layers of the skin (the dermis ), and can cause changes in our cells, in their DNA. With regular sun exposure, damage to the surface layer becomes visible after a few years. Several studies reveal that 90% of the skin undergoes visible changes due to constant photoaging due to regular sun exposure.
In this aspect, it is easy to understand that people who do not use sunscreens are more prone to photoaging, since the sunscreens partially stop the passage of ultraviolet rays. However, we are talking about something that can (and should) be prevented. On the other hand, the symptoms and causes of photoaging manifest themselves in various ways. Not everything is obvious or “a matter of aesthetics”.
Signs of sun exposure on the skin
Photoaging is different from chronological or normal aging, which is caused by genetics and age. It usually damages and modifies the structure of the skin permanently. The signs and symptoms of photoaging begin in adolescence or early in the second decade of life. These signs include wrinkles , loss of skin tone due to decreased elasticity, pigmentation changes such as freckles, rough and uneven skin texture, spots, redness, and broken capillaries, usually around the cheeks and nose. Surely you had not considered that all these phenomena on the skin could be the product of sun exposure!
Evidence suggests that actinic keratoses, freckles, and melasma are some of the most significant signs of photoaging. However, these signs can vary from one person to another (something like their skin types, pigmentation, etc).
Causes
When we talk about ultraviolet light (UV) it seems that we are talking about an abstract concept. Let’s unravel a little more what this concept is about. You see, there are two types of UV light that lead to skin cancer and photodamage. These types are UVA light and UVB light. UVA light is the type of solar radiation that has a tendency to damage the skin from the epidermis (superficial layer) to the dermis (thicker and deeper layer than the epidermis), at all levels. Many parts of the skin are affected, including elastin fibers (provide elasticity to the skin, ligaments, and arteries, as well as strength and toughness to connective tissue) and collagen (provide support, support, as they are resistant fibers, strong and flexible) of those layers. As you will understand, these affected parts are essential for the skin to enjoy youth and elasticity.
The other type, UVB light, is solar radiation that potentially damages the skin more than UVA and irradiates the outer layer of the skin. It potentially damages the epidermis and causes the skin to form precancerous cells. Therefore, we must eliminate the misconception that the sun only tans the skin, in fact, it is capable of causing skin cancer and seriously affecting the skin.
Who is susceptible to photoaging?
Everyone is susceptible to photoaging. However, the time of exposure to the sun with unprotected skin is important. Those who use sunscreens and spend less time in the sun are less likely to suffer from photodamage, but unprotected skin is easily vulnerable to the sun. In addition, geographic factors, genetics, age, and skin type also add importance to the degree of photodamage. For example, people with pale skin, blonde or red hair, and light eyes are more likely to burn than tan. However, people with a darker skin tone are less likely to develop skin cancer. In addition, people with brown or black skin can tan easily, but they do not usually suffer from skin burns. This occurs because the pigmentation of the skin is given by melanin , and is a protection in itself.
So far, the available evidence suggests that everyone should protect their skin before sun exposure.
Treatments for photoaging
Don’t be fooled by “anti-aging” products that promise to “completely reverse” damage already done. Multiple studies to date show us that it is extremely difficult to completely eliminate photodamage. However, there are treatments available to lessen the symptoms and make the skin look better. These treatments include:
- lasers
Yes, there are some dermatologists who defend that the skin can be “rejuvenated” using laser techniques to reduce fine lines and brown spots (called melasmas or chloasmas) caused by sun exposure. It also improves skin texture and the appearance of enlarged pores. Different types of lasers are used for various purposes. For example, some are able to eliminate or significantly attenuate redness and broken blood vessels from photodamage. Others, however, can help partially prevent precancerous changes in the skin.
- photodynamic therapy
Photodynamics is a specific treatment suggested to eliminate precancerous spots (lesions that can become malignant) that are indicated due to constant exposure to the sun. In this therapy, the doctor may use a topical medication before starting the procedure and use red or blue fluorescent light to activate the medication applied to the skin. That is, they are inactive drugs until they come into contact with light that activates them (these are “photoactive” drugs). This light is responsible for destroying precancerous cells, but the good thing about this treatment is that it never damages normal cells.
- cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a suggested treatment to treat actinic keratosis. In this therapy, doctors use liquid nitrogen to freeze scars, actinic keratoses, and non-cancerous age spots. These spots may fade or turn dark after a few days of cryotherapy.
- Chemical peeling/peeling
There are chemicals, such as glycolic acid or trichloracetic acid, that help treat actinic keratoses and remove brown spots when applied to the skin. These chemicals improve the texture and tone of photodamaged skin.
Conclusions
The main conclusion is that exposure to the sun for a long time is dangerous and not without negative consequences that, ultimately, can also be serious with problems such as skin cancer. However, you can reduce the probability of suffering the effects of photoaging if you take care of your skin by using sunscreens before going out in the sun. Even so, if you have changes in the skin or the appearance of new lesions, be sure to consult your doctor.
References
Huang, A. H., & Chien, A. L. (2020). Photoaging: A review of current literature. Current Dermatology Reports, 9, 22–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-020-00288-0
Lv, J., Yang, S., Lv, M., Lv, J., Sui, Y., & Guo, S. (2022). Protective roles of mesenchymal stem cells on skin photoaging: A narrative review. Tissue & cell, 76, 101746. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tice.2022.101746
Chen, J., Jiao, D., Zhang, M., Zhong, S., Zhang, T., Ren, X., & Ren, G. (2019). Concentrated Growth Factors Can Inhibit Photoaging Damage Induced by Ultraviolet A (UVA) on the Human Dermal Fibroblasts In Vitro. Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 25, 3739–3749. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.913967
Krutmann, J., Schalka, S., Watson, R., Wei, L., & Morita, A. (2021). Daily photoprotection to prevent photoaging. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 37(6), 482–489. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12688
Shah, K., Minkis, K., Swary, JH, & Alam, M. (2022). Photoaging en Draelos, ZD (Ed.), Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures (Third Edition). DOI: 10.1002 / 9781119676881
