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Table of Contents
- Does Sunlight Darken Skin Color?
- How Does Sunlight Affect the Skin?
- What Is the Difference Between Tanning and Sunburn?
- How Do Sun Spots (Solar Lentigo) Form?
- What Is Melasma and How Is It Related to the Sun?
- Why Is Skin Color Not Even After Sun Exposure?
- What Are the Basic Rules of Sun Protection?
- How Should Skin Care After Sun Exposure Look?
- Which Treatments Are Used for Sun Spots?
- Do Spots Come Back After Treatment?
- How Is Sunlight Related to Skin Cancer?
- What Is Recommended for Sun Protection in Antalya?
- Which Medications and Products Cause Sun Sensitivity?
- When Should You See a Dermatologist About Sun Spots?
- What Should Be Considered When Choosing a Sunscreen?
- How Should Sun Protection Be for Children and Babies?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sunlight Darken Skin Color?
Yes. The ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight stimulate the skin's pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) and increase melanin production. Tanning is a defense response the skin develops against UV damage; that is, darkening is not a healthy "gain" but a sign of skin damage.
This effect varies from person to person: fair-skinned people burn more easily, darker-skinned people tan more easily. In both cases repeated UV exposure over time increases the risk of spots, premature aging and skin cancer.
How Does Sunlight Affect the Skin?
UVB rays mainly cause burns in the upper layer of the skin, while UVA rays cause collagen damage, wrinkles and spots in deeper layers. Both contribute to the risk of skin cancer through DNA damage.
It is therefore important that a sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB (is broad-spectrum). Even on cloudy days most UV rays pass through the clouds.
What Is the Difference Between Tanning and Sunburn?
Tanning is color darkening due to increased melanin; sunburn is redness, pain and peeling due to acute damage UV causes to skin cells. Both are indicators of UV damage.
Sunburn increases the cumulative lifetime risk of skin cancer; burns in childhood are especially important. There is no such thing as a "healthy tan".
How Do Sun Spots (Solar Lentigo) Form?
As a result of repeated sun exposure over the years, brown spots (solar lentigines) form in areas such as the face, back of the hands and décolleté. They usually become noticeable after the age of 30 and increase the more sun exposure there has been.
These spots are harmless; however, dark, irregular, growing or bleeding spots must be shown to a dermatologist for skin cancer.
What Is Melasma and How Is It Related to the Sun?
Melasma is a pigmentation problem seen as symmetrical brown spots especially on the face, triggered by hormonal influences (pregnancy, birth control pills) and sun exposure. Sunlight markedly increases melasma.
Melasma is hard to treat and may recur; treatment under a doctor's supervision and uninterrupted sun protection are therefore essential. Wrong products or methods can worsen melasma.
Why Is Skin Color Not Even After Sun Exposure?
In areas constantly exposed to the sun, melanin accumulation is greater; this creates unevenness in skin tone, spots and areas of different colors. In addition, some medications, cosmetics and herbal products can make the skin sensitive to light and trigger spotting.
Sun protection is the most effective way to keep an even color. Treating spots that form later takes time.
What Are the Basic Rules of Sun Protection?
The basic rules are using a broad-spectrum (at least SPF 30-50) sunscreen every day regardless of season, reapplying it every 2-3 hours when time outdoors is prolonged, avoiding direct sun between 10:00 and 16:00, and using a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing.
It is important to apply sunscreen in sufficient and even amounts and to protect often-forgotten areas such as the neck, ears and backs of the hands. Tanning bed use is strongly discouraged.
How Should Skin Care After Sun Exposure Look?
After sun exposure it is recommended to cleanse the skin with cool water, to use moisturizing and soothing products, to drink plenty of water and to protect from the sun more carefully the next day. If there is a burn, do not pop blisters or pick peeling skin.
If there is a severe burn, widespread blisters, fever, chills or dizziness, medical help should be sought.
Which Treatments Are Used for Sun Spots?
Treatment is planned by the dermatologist according to the type of spot: sunscreen and, on the doctor's advice, topical products containing azelaic acid, vitamin C, tranexamic acid or retinoids; chemical peels; and laser and light-based methods are among the options. Strong agents such as hydroquinone should be used only under a doctor's supervision and for a limited time.
Not every spot is treated with the same method. Laser used wrongly for melasma may worsen it; diagnosis is therefore important.
Do Spots Come Back After Treatment?
Sun-related spots can reappear if the skin is not protected from the sun. Conditions such as melasma tend to recur. Regular sunscreen use after treatment and the maintenance care recommended by the doctor reduce the risk of recurrence.
Procedures that promise a permanent solution are not realistic. Preserving results requires lifelong sun protection.
How Is Sunlight Related to Skin Cancer?
Cumulative UV exposure increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The risk is especially high in fair-skinned people, those with many moles, those with a family history of skin cancer and those who had frequent burns in childhood.
Regular skin examinations and showing suspicious moles to a dermatologist are important for early diagnosis. The "ABCDE" rule (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter, evolution) is a guide in evaluating moles.
What Is Recommended for Sun Protection in Antalya?
In Antalya the UV index reaches very high levels in summer. When planning beach and sea hours, it is important to prefer early morning or late afternoon, to reapply protection after getting into the water, and to use shade and an umbrella.
For children and babies, shade, clothing and a hat are the primary methods of protection. In pregnancy, sun protection is additionally important because of the risk of melasma.
Which Medications and Products Cause Sun Sensitivity?
Some antibiotics, acne medications, hormonal drugs, blood pressure drugs and some cosmetic products such as citrus and perfume can make the skin sensitive to the sun. This increases the risk of burns and spots.
It is important to read the leaflet of the medications you use and to ask a doctor or pharmacist about sun sensitivity.
When Should You See a Dermatologist About Sun Spots?
If spots are new, growing quickly, changing color, have irregular borders, bleed or turn into a non-healing sore, a dermatologist must be consulted. For cosmetic concerns too, an examination is useful for learning about treatment options.
In the examination by Dermatologist Specialist Dr. Melda Özekinci, the type of spot is determined; suitable treatment is planned individually. You can visit our contact page for information.
What Should Be Considered When Choosing a Sunscreen?
Broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, at least SPF 30 and a texture suited to the skin type (light for oily skin, moisturizing for dry skin) should be chosen. In sensitive and reactive skin, products with mineral (physical) filters and fragrance-free, alcohol-free formulas may be better tolerated. Separate products can be used for the face and the body.
About two finger-lengths of product for the face and a handful for the body are said to be enough. Reapplying after getting in the water and sweating is necessary for the effect to last.
How Should Sun Protection Be for Children and Babies?
Babies under six months should not be taken out in direct sun; shade and protective clothing should be preferred. In older children a broad-spectrum sunscreen, a hat and UV-protective clothing should be used. Sunburns in childhood increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Children's time outdoors during the hottest hours should be limited, they should be given water to drink and sunscreen should be reapplied regularly by their parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sunscreen prevent tanning?
It greatly reduces tanning and burning; however, no sunscreen provides 100% protection. Regular use still protects the skin.
Should dark-skinned people protect themselves from the sun?
Yes. Although burns are less common in dark-skinned people, the risk of spots and skin cancer continues. Protection is necessary for all skin types.
Are tanning beds safe?
No. Tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancer and premature aging and are not recommended.
Do sun spots go away completely?
Many spots can be reduced with treatment; however, complete disappearance cannot be guaranteed and they may return if not protected from the sun.
Is sunscreen necessary on cloudy days?
Yes. Most UV rays pass through the clouds; it should be used every day.
