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sunscreens-Skin care
Posted Date: 19 Jan 2008 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: General
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Posted By: jalaj Member Level: Diamond
Rating:  Points: 5
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You probably like to spend as much time outdoors as possible and enjoy being in the sunlight. But you know that the sun can damage your skin and increase your risk of serious consequences, including skin cancer. Though it's not the only safeguard you need to take, sunscreen is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin and is a good first line of defense.
Here's how you can get the most protection from your sunscreen.
How do sunscreens work?
Sunscreen absorbs, reflects or scatters ultraviolet (UV) light — invisible rays from the sun that can cause sunburn and other skin damage. UV light is divided into three wavelength bands — ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC). Only UVA and UVB rays reach the earth.
Sunscreens provide either physical or chemical protection from UV light.
Physical sunscreens form an opaque film that reflects or scatters UV light before it can penetrate the skin. These sunscreens contain ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Original formulations of physical sunscreens remained white when applied to the skin. Newer formulations blend more with your skin tone and are less noticeable.
Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they can cause any damage. They contain one or more ingredients, such as avobenzone or oxybenzone, which absorb UVA or UVB rays. For broad protection, chemical sunscreens often contain more than one ingredient to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. A newer over-the-counter sunscreen contains mexoryl (Anthelios SX) and offers protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
Who should use sunscreen?
If you spend time outdoors during daylight hours, you need to use sunscreen even if you have darker skin pigment, tan easily and can tolerate longer periods of sun exposure without burning. Regardless of skin type, the sun's energy penetrates deeply into the skin and damages DNA of skin cells. This damage may ultimately lead to skin cancer.
Children are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of the sun, so take extra steps to protect their skin and to prevent sunburns. Children or teenagers who experience at least two blistering sunburns are at increased risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight because their skin is even more fragile. Use sunscreen on an infant only if you're unable to keep him or her out of the sun and are unable to cover exposed skin. Use a small amount on uncovered areas, such as on hands or ears, and check for any skin reactions.
What is an SPF?
All sunscreens products include an SPF, which stands for sun protection factor. The SPF number is a measurement of the amount of UVB protection — the higher the number, the greater the protection. Currently, there's no standard rating system that measures UVA protection.
SPF is not an indication of how much time you can spend in the sun. For example, if you use a sunscreen with an SPF 30 rather than one with an SPF 15, it doesn't mean you can stay in the sun twice as long. In reality, an SPF of 15 filters out about 93 percent of the UVB rays; SPF 30 filters about 97 percent of UVB rays. The beneficial effects of sunscreen decreases over time, so after a few hours the difference between the two may be even less.
Don't rely on the SPF factor to decide how long you're safe in the sun. And don't count on your skin to tell you when you've had too much sun. It may take up to 24 hours for a sunburn to develop fully.
What reduces the effectiveness of sunscreen?
How much protection your sunscreen offers depends on many factors, including how likely your skin is to burn (your skin type), the amount and type of sunscreen used, how often the sunscreen is applied, and how intense the UV rays are.
In addition, many factors can make sunscreen less effective. These include:
High humidity
Sweating
Drying or rubbing your skin with a towel
Swimming, showers or other contact with water
What should you look for when buying sunscreen?
Not all sunscreens are the same. Be sure to select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Broad-spectrum products provide protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. Look on the ingredient labels for oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Some sunscreens contain fragrances, preservatives and other ingredients that cause skin reactions in some people. If you have sensitive skin, look for sunscreen that doesn't contain potential allergens, such as fragrances or dyes, and is specifically designed for your type of skin.
Look for sunscreens that are water resistant, which offers some protection against washing off in water or when perspiring heavily. Sunscreens can no longer be labeled "waterproof" because all sunscreens wash off to some extent.
Other terms that can no longer be used on sunscreen product labels include "sun block" (no product actually blocks all UV rays) and "all-day" (no sunscreen lasts all day). Products that don't contain sunscreen are required by law to clearly indicate that on the label. Make sure any product you use actually contains sunscreen — many tanning oils and lotions don't.
How much sunscreen is necessary, and how often should it be applied?
Most people use sunscreen too sparingly. A liberal application is 1 ounce — the amount in a shot glass — to cover all exposed parts of the body. If you have a 4-ounce bottle, you'll be using about one-fourth of it for one application. Be sure to rub the sunscreen in well.
To maximize protection, apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, or as needed.
Does sunscreen lose its strength from year to year?
Sunscreens are designed to remain stable and at original strength for up to three years. This means that you can use leftover sunscreen from one summer to the next. Keep in mind, however, that if you use sunscreen frequently and liberally, a bottle of sunscreen shouldn't last you that long.
Some sunscreens include an expiration date — the date at which time the sunscreen is no longer effective. Discard sunscreen that is past the expiration date or is more than three years old.
Is sunscreen enough to protect your skin?
Though it offers some protection, no sunscreen blocks out all of the UV rays. Therefore, sunscreen shouldn't replace other protective measures, such as limiting the time you spend in the sun and covering your skin. For the most complete sun protection, use all three of these methods:
Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Because the sun's rays are strongest during these hours, try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day. Seek shade whenever possible. If you're unable to avoid being in the sun, limit the amount of time you're outdoors during these peak hours.
Cover up. Wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or golf visor. You should also consider wearing clothing or outdoor gear specially designed to provide sun protection.
Use sunscreen frequently and liberally. Apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply about every two hours. Use it even on cloudy or hazy days. UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.
skin Care - Squamous cell carcinoma
Introduction
In November 2006, first lady Laura Bush had a small squamous cell carcinoma removed from her shin. Though hers was a high-profile case, it was by no means unique. An estimated 250,000 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the United States every year. And though squamous cell carcinoma was once found mainly in older adults, it's occurring with increasing frequency in people younger than 40.
Mrs. Bush's cancer was caught and treated early. In such cases, squamous cell carcinoma is highly curable and rarely causes further problems. But untreated squamous cell carcinoma can destroy healthy tissue around the tumor, spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, and occasionally prove fatal.
Most squamous cell carcinomas result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps. Avoiding UV light as much as possible is the best protection. Sunscreen is an important part of a sun-safety program, but by itself doesn't completely prevent squamous cell carcinoma or other types of skin cancer.
Signs and symptoms
Although squamous cell carcinomas usually develop on sun-exposed skin, they can occur anywhere on your body, including inside your mouth and anus, and on the genitals in both men and women. The appearance of the tumors can vary, but the most common forms include:
A firm, red nodule on your face, lower lip, ears, neck, hands or arms
A flat lesion with a scaly crust on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms
A new ulceration or raised area on a pre-existing scar or ulcer
An ulcer or flat, white patch inside your mouth
A red, raised patch or ulcerated sore in the anus or on your genitals
Squamous cell carcinomas are usually slow growing and can be difficult to spot, especially when they appear on skin that has other signs of sun damage, such as changes in pigmentation, loss of elasticity and wrinkling. They can also be mistaken for actinic keratoses — rough, scaly, dark brown or pink patches that appear after years of sun exposure. A small number of actinic keratoses eventually develop into squamous cell carcinomas.
Sun-sensitive areas such as the lips and ears are especially likely to develop squamous cell carcinomas.
Causes
Your skin consists of three layers — the epidermis, dermis and subcutis. The epidermis, the topmost layer, is as thin as a pencil line and provides a protective layer of skin cells that your body continually sheds. Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface. Under a microscope, squamous cells in the deeper part of the epidermis resemble bricks; closer to the surface, they look like fish scales.
Basal cells, which produce new skin cells, are at the bottom of the epidermis. Squamous cell carcinomas develop from cells just above the basal layer. They form when cell death and renewal no longer occur as they should. Ordinarily, new cells push older cells toward the skin's surface, and the older cells die and are sloughed off — a process controlled by DNA, the body's genetic material. But if DNA is damaged, this orderly pattern is disrupted, causing cells to grow out of control.
The DNA-UV connection
Most of the damage to DNA in skin cells results from exposure to UV radiation from sunlight and commercial tanning lamps and beds. The damage is cumulative, so the more time you spend in the sun or in a tanning booth, the greater your chance of developing skin cancer. Your risk increases even more if most of your outdoor exposure occurs at times of the day or in locations where the sun is strongest.
Although sun exposure causes most cases of squamous cell cancinoma, other factors can also lead to this type of cancer, including:
Therapeutic radiation. Psoralen UVA (PUVA) treatments for psoriasis and X-rays to the head or neck increase your risk of squamous cell carcinoma as well as of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. It can take years for skin cancers to develop, and many radiation-induced carcinomas that occur later in life may have had their origins in radiation treatments for childhood acne or ringworm. The likelihood that therapeutic radiation will cause cancer depends on a number of factors, including the pigmentation in your skin, the total dose of radiation you receive, and your medical status.
Chemical toxins. Arsenic, a toxic metal that's found widely in the environment, is a well-known cause of squamous cell carcinoma and other cancers. Though arsenic contaminates the soil, air and groundwater, most people get their greatest exposure in food, especially chicken, beef and fish, and in wine grapes sprayed with arsenic-containing toxins. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that the average American ingests 11 to 14 milligrams of arsenic every day. Farmers, refinery workers, and people who drink contaminated well water or live near smelting plants are likely to ingest much higher levels.
Human papilloma-virus (HPV). This group of viruses has more than 100 strains, about a third of which are sexually transmitted. Some of the viruses cause genital warts; others can lead to cancer of the vagina, cervix or penis. Now, researchers think that infection with certain types of HPV may also play a role in the development of squamous cell skin cancers.
Immunosupressant drugs. Up to 80 percent of people who take medications to prevent organ rejection after transplant surgery develop squamous cell carcinoma, though symptoms may not appear for years after surgery. People who have had heart transplants are at greatest risk because they tend to take more drugs at higher doses than do people who have other types of transplants.
Squamous cell carcinomas develop in the middle layer of cells in the epidermis called the squamous epithelium.
Risk factors
A lifetime spent in the sun — or in commercial tanning booths — is the most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma. The threat is greater if you live in a sunny or high-altitude location, both of which expose you to more UV radiation. The risk is also greater if most of your exposure occurred when you were young or you inherit a sensitivity that causes your DNA to sustain more damage than usual from UV light.
Other factors that can contribute to squamous cell carcinoma include:
Fair skin. If you have very light skin or freckle or sunburn easily, you're more likely to develop skin cancer than is someone with a darker complexion. Fair-skinned people of Northern European ancestry are particularly at risk. Queensland, Australia, has the highest skin cancer rate in the world because it has unusually high levels of UV radiation and because most of its inhabitants have sensitive English or Irish complexions.
Your sex. Men are far more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma than women are, probably because of their greater exposure to the sun.
A personal history of skin cancer. If you've had squamous cell carcinoma once, you're much more likely to develop it again.
Weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of many diseases, including skin cancer. This includes people who have chronic leukemias, other cancers or HIV/AIDS, and those who have undergone organ transplants or who are, for other reasons, taking medications that suppress the immune system.
Rare genetic disorder. People with xeroderma pigmentosum, which causes an extreme sensitivity to sunlight, have a greatly increased risk of developing skin cancer because they have little or no ability to repair damage to the skin from ultraviolet light.
Smoking. Smoking increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma, and the risk is directly proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked. Although researchers aren't sure why smoking has this effect, they theorize that tobacco damages DNA, making cancerous changes in cells more likely.
Skin inflammation or injury. You have a slightly higher chance of developing squamous cell carcinoma if you have a large scar, skin infection or an inflammatory skin disease, such as psoriasis.
When to seek medical advice
Squamous cell carcinomas may be difficult to distinguish from normal skin, especially in the early stages. Yet the sooner they're diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. See your dermatologist if you have a sore or scab that doesn't heal in about two weeks or a flat patch of scaly skin that won't go away.
Screening and diagnosis
In addition to taking a complete medical history and checking the affected area of skin, your doctor may remove a small skin sample (biopsy) for examination under a microscope. Often, the biopsy is sent to a pathologist who has special expertise in diagnosing skin samples.
A suspected squamous cell carcinoma is often biopsied by shaving off the top layers of skin with a surgical blade. Tumors that have spread deeper into the skin may be partially or completely removed (incisional or excisional biopsy). Because all biopsies are likely to leave a small scar, talk to your doctor about the types of biopsies and their potential for scarring before having the procedure.
Complications
When treated early, squamous cell carcinomas generally cause no problems. Untreated tumors can spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other organs, though this is uncommon. People who have had organ transplants or have chronic lymphocytic leukemia or HIV/AIDS are far more likely to have an aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma than are people who are otherwise healthy.
Tumors on the lips and ears more often spread to other sites or recur after treatment. Large tumors — those measuring 2 centimeters (about 3/4 inch) or more — are also more likely to spread than smaller tumors are.
Treatment
Most squamous cell carcinomas can be completely removed with relatively minor surgery or occasionally with a topical medication. The type of squamous cell carcinoma treatment usually depends on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor and may include one or more of the following:
Freezing. This involves removing cancerous cells by freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery) . It's effective for small squamous cell carcinomas, but isn't recommended for larger tumors or those on your nose, ears or eyelids.
Simple excision. In this procedure, your doctor cuts out the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin. Your doctor may recommend a wide excision — removing additional normal skin around the tumor — in some cases. To minimize scarring, especially on your face, consult a doctor skilled in skin reconstruction.
Laser therapy. An intense beam of light vaporizes growths, usually with little damage to surrounding tissue and with a reduced risk of bleeding, swelling and scarring. Lasers are often used to treat superficial carcinomas on the lips.
Mohs' surgery. This is often considered the most effective treatment for squamous cell carcinomas, especially those that are larger than 2 centimeters, have recurred, or are located on the face, mucous membranes or genital area. During the procedure, your doctor removes the tumor layer by layer, examining each layer under the microscope until no abnormal cells remain. This allows the entire growth to be removed without taking an excessive amount of surrounding healthy skin. Because it requires particular expertise, Mohs' surgery should only be performed by doctors specifically trained in the procedure.
Radiation therapy. This may be an option for treating large cancers on the eyelids, lips and ears — areas that are difficult to treat surgically — or for tumors too deep to cut out. The recurrence rate is high, however — as much as 50 percent for large tumors.
Chemotherapy. For very superficial cancers, creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents may be applied directly to your skin. Some of these medications can cause severe inflammation and scarring, so be sure to discuss potential complications with your doctor.
Prevention
Most squamous cell carcinomas can be prevented. To protect yourself:
Avoid the midday sun. Sunlight is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even in winter or when it's cloudy. You absorb UV radiation year-round, and clouds offer little protection from damaging rays. Keep in mind that sunlight is more intense when it reflects off water, sand and snow.
Use sunscreen year-round. Sunscreens don't filter out all harmful UV radiation, but they play a major role in an overall sun protection program. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 when you go outside, year-round. Use about 1 ounce — the amount that fits in the palm of your hand — to cover your entire body, including your lips, ears and the backs of your hands and neck. Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply it every two hours throughout the day as well as after swimming or exercising.
A sunscreen called Anthelios SX, which has been widely used in Europe, is now available in the United States. It offers better protection from UVA rays than do traditional broad-spectrum sunscreens and may be more effective in preventing skin cancer.
Still, don't rely on any sunscreen as your sole means of sun protection. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays do and are responsible for skin aging as well as for increasing your risk of cancer.
Wear protective clothing. Because no sunscreen provides complete protection, it's important to also wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad-brimmed hat rather than a baseball cap or visor. Some companies sell photoprotective clothing. Your dermatologist can recommend an appropriate brand. And don't forget sunglasses. Look for those that provide full protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Avoid tanning beds. Some tanning salon operators claim that indoor tanning is less damaging than natural sunlight, but the opposite may be true. Tanning beds emit UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into your skin and are more likely to cause cancerous lesions. Some researchers attribute the unusual increase in skin cancers among younger people to the use of tanning beds and sun lamps. If you can't resist the sun-kissed look, choose self-tanning lotions or sprays.
Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications. Some common prescription and over-the-counter drugs make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. These include antibiotics; certain cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes medications; ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others); and the acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane). Ask your druggist about the side effects of any medications you take. If they make you more sun sensitive, take extra precautions.
Perform regular skin checks. Examine your skin often for new growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. Don't forget to check your scalp, ears, genital area and buttocks.
Get enough vitamin D. This vitamin may help lower the risk of certain cancers. Although it's normally produced by sunlight on your skin, many experts recommend getting your daily requirement of vitamin D through food or supplements.
Go green. Australian researchers report that eating green leafy vegetables, especially spinach, may help reduce the risk of skin cancer, particularly among people who have had the disease before. The benefits likely come from the wide range of nutrients and antioxidants found in vegetables, but health officials are quick to point out that avoiding daily sun exposure, using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing are still the best ways to prevent skin cancer.
Skin Care - Polymorphous light eruption
Introduction
Polymorphous light eruption is a common rash that occurs as a result of sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity) . People who are sensitive to sunlight can experience a reaction after an episode of intense sun exposure, usually in the spring or early summer. The rash typically appears as itchy, red spots that develop up to a day after being in the sun. The inflammation occurs most often on the front of your neck and chest as well as your arms and thighs.
Sometimes called sun poisoning, polymorphous light eruption usually resolves without medical treatment in seven to 10 days. But it can recur and become worse the following spring or summer. Cortisone creams or antihistamines can help if the rash is uncomfortable. Gradually increasing sun exposure times in the spring and avoiding intense sun exposure is the best way to treat and prevent polymorphous light eruption.
Signs and symptoms
Polymorphous light eruption symptoms include a red rash that develops after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is found in sunlight and commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds. The rash begins within hours after UV exposure and can last up to a week or longer. The amount of UV radiation needed to trigger a reaction varies greatly.
The rash can look different from person to person but typically includes one or more of the following:
Small bumps
Redness
Itching
Burning
Blistering and swelling
Stinging or pain
Polymorphous light eruption may also cause chills, headache, nausea and a general sick feeling.
Polymorphous light eruption usually affects people in northern climates after one or two exposures to sunlight in the spring or early summer. It may also affect people who vacation in sunny locations during the winter. With each exposure, light sensitivity decreases so that the eruptions typically stop by the end of the summer. The inflammation may return the following spring, however, after new exposures to sunlight.
Polymorphous light eruption occurs most often in areas that are covered in the winter months and exposed in the summer months, such as the front of your neck and chest.
The rash that results from polymorphous light eruption can look different from person to person, but typically includes redness, itching and small bumps that may be densely packed together.
Causes
The cause of polymorphous light eruption is exposure to UV radiation. UV radiation is a wavelength of sunlight in a range too short for the human eye to see. Commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds also produce UV radiation. UV light is divided into three wavelength bands — ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC). Only UVA and UVB rays reach the earth.
UVA radiation is most likely to trigger polymorphous light eruption. But some people react to both UVA and UVB rays. Why some people are more sensitive to UV radiation is unknown.
Risk factors
Polymorphous light eruption affects all races but is more common in fair-skinned individuals who live in northern climates. And though it can start at any age, it usually begins before age 30.
When to seek medical advice
If you experience skin reactions after relatively minor exposures to sunlight, see your doctor. He or she can confirm the diagnosis of polymorphous light eruption and help you create a treatment plan to prevent future episodes.
Also, see your doctor if the rash and inflammation:
Covers large portions of your body
Is accompanied by a high fever or extreme pain
Begins to blister
Continues despite your efforts to avoid sun exposure
Occurs after you take certain medications, such as high blood pressure medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Screening and diagnosis
Your doctor is likely to conduct a thorough physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. Diagnosis of polymorphous light eruption is typically based on your skin's appearance and your history of sun exposure.
To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, your doctor may order tests, including blood tests or a skin biopsy. Your doctor may also perform phototesting, a procedure in which small areas of your skin are exposed to measured amounts of UV light to try to reproduce the problem.
Other conditions that can look like polymorphous light eruption include:
Photoallergic reaction. This form of sun allergy causes an itchy red rash due to changes in your immune system. When this occurs, your skin reacts each time it's exposed to sunlight after coming in contact with a particular drug, chemical or plant. Signs and symptoms can extend to areas not exposed to the light. Once your body becomes sensitized to a certain substance, you can react to it again and again.
Solar urticaria. This form of sun allergy produces hives — raised, red, itchy welts of various sizes that appear and disappear on your skin. It's triggered by sunlight and can appear on uncovered skin within minutes of exposure. Solar urticaria typically resolves several hours after covering up.
Lupus rash. The skin problem most typically associated with lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) that develops across the cheeks and bridge of the nose. This malar rash may be flat or raised and may be blotchy or completely red in the affected areas. Some people with lupus develop skin lesions (subacute cutaneous lesions) that initially resemble small bumps but that eventually turn scaly and itchy. Others have large, flat, itchy lesions with clear centers, somewhat resembling hives. These rashes usually appear after exposure to sunlight.
Treatment
Polymorphous light eruption treatment usually isn't necessary because the rash typically resolves on its own in seven to 10 days. To lessen the reaction and prevent future episodes, practice sun protection measures: Limit time spent in the sunlight, use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Self-care measures, such as using a nonprescription anti-inflammatory cream, may help soothe your skin and reduce itching and discomfort.
If prevention steps aren't effective and you continue to experience sun reactions, your doctor may prescribe a medication, such as a corticosteroid cream, to reduce the inflammation.
Prevention
Prevention is the best way to manage polymorphous light eruption.
Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Because the sun's rays are strongest during this time, try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day. If you are unable to avoid being in the sun, limit the amount of time you're outdoors during these peak hours.
Use sunscreen. Before spending time outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some sunscreens contain substances that block ultraviolet A (UVA) as well as ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. To identify UVA-blocking creams, first look to see if the product is labeled "broad spectrum." Then, look on the ingredient labels for oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, dioxybenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide or methyl anthranilate.
Cover up. For protection from the sun, wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or golf visor. You might also consider wearing clothing or outdoor gear specially designed to provide sun protection.
Phototherapy. Small, incremental exposures to sunlight or UV light over the course of several weeks may prevent flare ups prior to a winter vacation or spring season.
Self-care
To help reduce soreness and itching and to soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures:
Take anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), on a regular basis according to the label instructions until redness and soreness subside.
Apply an anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected areas. A nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone, can temporarily relieve the itch.
Apply cold compresses — such as a towel dampened with cool tap water — to the affected skin. Or take a cool bath.
Leave any blisters intact to speed healing and avoid infection. If needed, you can lightly cover blisters with gauze.
skin Care - Age spots (liver spots)
Introduction
Also called liver spots and solar lentigines, age spots are flat, gray, brown or black spots. They vary in size and usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms — areas most exposed to the sun. Though age spots are very common in adults older than age 40, they can affect younger people as well.
True age spots are harmless and don't need treatment, but they can look like cancerous growths. For cosmetic reasons, age spots can be lightened with skin-bleaching products or removed. However, prevention — by avoiding the sun and using sunscreen — may be the easiest way to maintain your skin's youthful appearance and to avoid these dark skin spots.
Signs and symptoms
Age spots are flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation — usually brown, black or gray. They typically develop in people with a fair complexion but can be seen even in those with darker skin. Age spots occur on skin that has had the most sun exposure over the years, such as the backs of hands, tops of feet, face, shoulders and upper back.
Age spots range from freckle-size to more than a centimeter across and can group together, making them more prominent. Often, age spots are accompanied by other signs of sun damage, including:
Deep wrinkles
Dry, rough skin
Fine red veins on your cheeks, nose and ears
Thinner, more translucent- looking skin
If you have fair skin and spend a lot of time in the sun, you're more likely to develop age spots — areas of increased pigmentation. Though most common in older adults, age spots can appear in younger people as well.
Age spots grow in size and group together, giving the skin a speckled or mottled appearance. They're very common in areas that get repeated sun exposure, such as on the back of the hand (as seen in this picture).
Causes
Ultraviolet (UV) light accelerates the production of melanin. Melanin is the dark pigment in the epidermis that gives your skin its normal color. The extra melanin — produced to protect the deeper layers of your skin — creates the darker color of a tan. Age spots develop when the extra melanin becomes "clumped" or is produced in higher concentrations than normal.
Most often, it takes years of sun exposure for these dark spots to occur — they typically develop very slowly over time. Using commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds can eventually result in the same changes.
In addition to sun exposure, simply growing older can cause the extra production of melanin and subsequent age spots. Genetics also plays a role in how susceptible you are to the development of age spots.
To protect itself from damage, your skin increases the production of melanocytes, which produce the dark brown pigment, melanin. Age spots occur when the extra melanin clumps together or is produced in higher concentrations.
When to seek medical advice
You may not like the way they look, but age spots are usually harmless and don't require medical care. However, your doctor should evaluate spots that are dark or have changed appearance because these can be signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
It's best to have any new skin changes evaluated by a doctor, especially if a spot or lesion:
Is darkly pigmented
Is rapidly increasing in size
Has an irregular border
Has an unusual combination of colors
A biopsy (the removal and examination of tissue) may be done on suspicious lesions to rule out cancer.
Screening and diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose age spots by inspecting the skin. If there's any doubt, your doctor may do other tests, such as a biopsy. Other conditions that can look similar to age spots include:
Moles. Although they often appear as small, dark brown spots, moles (nevi) vary in color and size. They can be raised or flat and can develop almost anywhere on your body — even between your fingers and toes. Unlike age spots, moles can be present at birth. They often become more prominent with age. Moles also may darken with repeated sun exposure or as a result of hormonal changes in pregnancy.
Seborrheic keratoses. These tan, brown or black growths have a wart-like or waxy, pasted-on appearance and range in size from very small to more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across. Seborrheic keratoses don't become cancerous, but they can resemble age spots, moles or skin cancer.
Lentigo maligna. One type of skin cancer known as lentigo maligna melanoma can develop in areas of long-term sun exposure. Lentigo maligna starts as tan, brown or black lesions that slowly darken and enlarge. They tend to have an irregular border and uneven coloring and may be slightly raised.
Treatment
If you're unhappy with the appearance of age spots, treatments are available to lighten or remove them. Since the pigment is located at the base of the epidermis — the topmost layer of skin — any treatments meant to lighten the age spots will need to penetrate through this layer of skin.
Age spot treatments include:
Medications. Prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) used alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid may gradually fade the spots over several months. Over-the-counter (nonprescription) fade creams that contain glycolic acid or kojic acid may slightly reduce the appearance of the age spots. Sun protection is strongly advised if you use medication treatments.
Laser therapy. Laser therapy destroys the extra melanocytes that create the dark pigment without damaging the skin's surface. Treatments with laser typically require several sessions. After treatment, age spots fade gradually over several weeks or months. Laser therapy has few side effects, but it can be expensive.
Freezing (cryotherapy) . This procedure involves applying liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent to the age spots to destroy the extra pigment. As the area heals, the skin appears lighter. Freezing is typically used on a single or small grouping of age spots. Though effective, this procedure poses a slight risk of permanent scarring or discoloration.
Dermabrasion. This procedure consists of sanding down (planing) the surface layer of your skin with a rapidly rotating brush. This procedure removes the skin surface, and a new layer of skin grows in its place. Redness and temporary scab formation can result from this age spot treatment.
Chemical peel. A light or medium chemical peel can gradually fade age spots, but several treatments are necessary before you notice any results. A chemical peel involves applying an acid, which burns the outer layer of your skin, to the age spots. As your skin peels, new skin forms to take its place. Sun protection is strongly advised following this treatment.
Because age spot treatments are considered cosmetic, your insurance may not pay for it.
In addition, any of the procedures can have side effects, so be sure to discuss them in advance with your doctor. Make sure your dermatologist is specially trained and experienced in the technique you're considering.
Prevention
To help avoid age spots, minimize your sun exposure. If you must be in the sun, use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. It should be a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which means it blocks both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Avoid the sun during high-intensity hours. The sun's rays are most damaging from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reduce the time you spend outdoors during these hours.
Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also, keep in mind that certain clothing styles and fabrics offer better protection from the sun than do others. For example, tightly woven fabrics are better than loosely woven fabrics.
Use sunscreen. Apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes before going outdoors so that your skin has time to absorb the sunscreen. Then reapply according to the directions on the label — usually about every hour.
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