Whether living in Florida or just visiting regularly, sun exposure is to be expected. The damage that occurs with each sunburn usually does not show until years down the road, resulting in actinic keratosis, hyperpigmentation, premature aging, and at worse, skin cancer.
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous condition that must be treated by a doctor. Typically, it presents as rough, dry, flaked areas that are most commonly found on the face but can also show on the arms, shoulders, decollete or any area that has had an abundance of sun exposure. The affected area can be red, pink or grayish in color, but can also show no discoloration at all. With the variety of ways it can appear, it is easy to assume that "it's just dry skin". No amount of lotion or exfoliation will make it go away.
There are a few ways that actinic keratosis is treated; if the doctor thinks that the condition has possibly progressed, he or she may biopsy the problem area to be tested for malignant cells. If indeed this is the case, the doctor will then discuss the best procedures for removing the affected area. If no malignancy is suspected, the dermatologist may choose to burn, scrape or freeze the offender. There is also a cream available that targets the precancerous cells and dissolves them.
Hyperpigmentation and premature aging are two other concerns with the constant bombardment of UVA and UVB rays. Also known as age spots, hyperpigmentation is the discoloration of the skin, usually darker than the normal skin tone. While not life threatening in any way, hyperpigmentation can be embarrassing and difficult to cover up. Premature aging affects many in Florida, causing fine lines and wrinkles to show around the eye and lip area beginning in the early thirties. A dermatologist may treat these conditions with a series of glycolic or TCA acid peels to slough away the dead, damaged skin. For hyperpigmentation, a skin lightener may be prescribed to fade the dark patches. To help prevent further aging, the doctor may recommend a skin care line that will help boost collagen production and exfoliate in combination with a retinol cream.
Websites are available that can help find dermatologists in Florida as well as local listings in the phone book. In addition to sunscreen, having a skin doctor in the Sunshine State can be vital ammunition to keeping your skin healthy.
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