As the summer season kicks into gear, it’s only natural for people to start spending more time outdoors and in the Sun. This time of year, people are especially at risk of experiencing skin issues related to overexposure to the Sun’s UV rays. And while people often think of skin cancer and sun damage when thinking about sun protection, it’s important not to lose sight of something as ordinary as the common sunburn. Typically thought of as a short-term inconvenience and source of discomfort, sunburns can also pose some long-term challenges to a person’s skin health over time. Today, our board-certified dermatologists and physician assistants wanted to answer some questions about how sunburns affect the health of the skin.

Question #1: How can a sunburn affect the skin’s appearance over time?

In addition to short-term effects like itching, rashes, blisters and more, repeated sunburns over time can lead to premature skin aging. This is a process known as photoaging, and the effects can seriously impact the look and feel of a person’s complexion. Effects of photoaging include lost skin elasticity due to weakened connective tissue, wrinkles, overly dry skin, the appearance of veins on the face, and the development of sun spots or age spots in areas all over the body.

Question #2: How do sunburns impact a person’s risk of developing skin cancer?

There is an established connection between experiencing sunburns and increased skin cancer risk later in life. In fact, according to statistics collected by The Skin Cancer Foundation, having 5 or more sunburns in a person’s life doubles their risk of developing melanoma. This is why it is so important to protect your skin from the Sun. This means wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen (minimum 30 SPF) during any extended time outdoors, and also wearing sunglasses, hats, and sun-protective clothing whenever possible.

Question #3: Can sunburns cause the development of cancerous lesions on the skin?

In some cases, a severe sunburn can eventually become a scaly, rough patch or lesion. This is most common in areas like the head, face, neck, and hands that burn easily and are most commonly exposed. Over time, if not treated, these patches can develop into a common type of precancer known as actinic keratoses. While an actinic keratosis does not pose any health risks itself, it can develop into a common form of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma if not addressed in a timely manner.

It’s always important to be vigilant about sun-protection, but especially this time of year. For more information on our services, contact Dermatology Associates of Atlanta to schedule a dermatology appointment today. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more skin care tips and practice updates.