It is widely known today that excessive exposure to the sun’s rays can cause damage to the skin, and the warnings from official bodies such as the NHS most often refer to the increased chances of developing skin cancer.
What is less commented on, though, is the incidences of increased hyperpigmentation among people of all skin colours, an issue which dermatological specialists such as those at The Laser Treatment Clinic are called upon to treat with increasing regularity.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a condition in which the skin becomes darker in colour through an increase in melanin and can occur in small patches or larger areas on the face or body. Examples of hyperpigmentation include
- Sunspots, commonly known as liver spots or age spots. These appear over a period of years on areas of the body most exposed to the sun, including hands and face.
- Melasma is caused by hormonal changes within the body. Pregnant women often report increased patches of darker skin on the stomach and face.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur through inflammation of the skin, commonly acne.
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by a number of things, including certain medications or hormone changes but the biggest factor is excessive exposure to the sun.
Hyperpigmentation is referred to as a photosensitive condition by doctors and is a condition which is exacerbated by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It is recommended that using sunscreen offers significant protection from UV rays and should be used by people of all colours.
How Does the Sun Damage Skin?
The sun’s UV rays can cause severe damage to unprotected skin. Sunburn is the most common effect of too much exposure to the sun, but there can be other consequences, too, including what dermatologists call photo-ageing. This is when UV rays cause deep cellular damage and changes in the skin’s DNA. Sun damage presents as anything from wrinkles and brown spots to uneven skin texture and hyperpigmentation.
Melanin is a natural pigment which determines the colour of the skin and normally protects against exposure to UV rays however UV rays are known to over-stimulate the production of melanin. When the skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays for any length of time, melanocytes – the cells which produce melanin – over-produce as a protective mechanism.
So if the skin is overexposed to UV rays or exposed to long term sun damage, for example, through sunbathing and not wearing adequate sunscreen, the excessive melanin production leads to hyperpigmentation. This causes dark spots and alterations to the skin’s outer layer, which would need significant dermatological intervention, added Skinclinic London, who leading cosmetic treatments.
In addition to hyperpigmentation, UV rays will also, over time, damage the skin’s collagen and elastin fibres which means that the skin will prematurely and permanently age with an increase in obvious wrinkles and fine lines.
How Can You Prevent Hyperpigmentation and Photo-ageing?
Whatever your age and skin colour, it is never too late to start practising good sun protection. This starts with a good sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30, or higher if you are fair-skinned or you have sensitive skin prone to burning easily. Your sunscreen should ideally be a broad spectrum one which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. You should use this every day when you are out in the sun, and if you are swimming or sweating, reapply it every two hours to continue the protection.
Consider wearing a hat to protect the skin on your face, along with appropriate clothing which can block out the strongest rays. Avoid going out in the sun in the middle of the day.
If hyperpigmentation is becoming an issue for you, consider visiting a dermatologist with specialist knowledge of the subject.
