Actinic keratosis is the medical term for sun damage. It can be recognized by reddish to brown, scaly spots on the skin. These are spots that can develop into skin cancer. If you know how they feel and look, you can keep an eye on them. Keeping an eye on your skin is therefore important in addition to sensible sunbathing, says dermatologist Marcel Bekkenk: “Be aware of changes on your skin and of the damage that the sun can cause on your skin. If you discover a suspicious stain, always go to the doctor.”
How does sun damage occur?
The UV rays from the sun cause damage both in and on the skin, which builds up over the years. Sun damage is also known as actinic keratosis. It is a skin condition that can be recognized by reddish, scaly spots. You find them mainly on the back of your hand, the forearms, your face or on the bald skull. In the beginning, the skin abnormality is better to feel (as a rough spot) than to see. Sometimes they are slightly painful to the touch. The size can vary from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. Often there are multiple spots and other signs of prolonged sunlight exposure can be seen on the skin, such as blotchy discolorations, wrinkles and thinning of the skin.
When you check your skin, it is not only important to look, but also to feel good. Sun damage feels rough, similar to the texture of sandpaper. These spots can go away on their own. However, there is a small chance that one or more spots of sun damage will develop into skin cancer. By keeping an eye on your skin, you can identify changes in time. If you notice any changes in your skin or discover suspicious spots, always contact your doctor.
How do you build up sun damage?
Especially fair-skinned people who spend a lot of time in the sun are at high risk. It can be compared to a bucket and a dripping tap. If you have a really large bucket, it may never overflow, no matter how long the faucet continues to drip. If you have a small bucket, it can fill up quickly. Your sun behavior determines how fast the tap flows and your skin type determines how big the bucket is.
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