Actinic Keratoses are skin growths that occur on body areas exposed to the sun. The face, hands, forearms, and the "V" of the neck are especially susceptible to this type of lesion. Although premalignant, actinic Keratoses are a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma. Look for raised, reddish, rough-textured growths and seek prompt medical attention if you discover them.
"Age spots," or "liver spots" as they’re often called, have nothing to do with the liver. They are large, flat, dark areas with irregular borders that are usually found on the face, hands, back and feet and once again are usually due to the effects of photo-ageing. These "Age" spots affect more than 90% of fair-skinned people over the age of 50. If warranted, age spots can be lightened with skin bleaching products or removed. While not dangerous they should be examined by a dermatologist to make sure they are not melanoma. You can help prevent new spots by avoiding the sun and using sunscreen.
An estimated 5 percent of men over 40 have rosacea, a condition where hyperactive blood vessels produce a sporadic red-in-the-face effect. If it’s left untreated, the blush lasts longer, and bumps and pimples start to pop up. Ultraviolet A radiation is a common rosacea trigger. People with rosacea are particularly sensitive to tannins, chemicals found in red wine. Exercise, another trigger, keeps rosacea sufferers flushed for as long as 3 hours after cooling off.
Rough, goose-bumpy, sandpaper-like patches are usually seen on the backs of the arms and outer thighs but can show up anywhere hair grows. Sometimes Keratosis Pilaris is confused with pimples or ingrown hairs. While the bumps in these conditions vary in size, shape, and arrangement, keratosis pilaris is uniform. The lesions are generally the same in appearance and form a regular pattern.
The skin becomes thinner with age and sun damage. The skin also loses much of its fat padding. Loss of fat and connective tissue weaken the support around blood vessels, making them more susceptible to injury The skin bruises and tears more easily and takes longer to heal. Sometimes bruising is caused by medications or illness. Bruises that persist should be examined by a dermatologist.
Cataracts are a form of eye damage where a loss of transparency in the lens of the eye clouds vision. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Research has shown that UV radiation increases the likelihood of certain cataracts. Although curable with modern eye surgery, cataracts diminish the eyesight of millions of Americans and cost billions of dollars in medical care each year. Other kinds of eye damage include apterygial (i.e., tissue growth that can block vision), skin cancer around the eyes, and degeneration of the macula (i.e., the part of the retina where visual perception is most acute). All of these problems can be lessened with proper eye protection from UV radiation.
Scientists have found that overexposure to UV radiation may suppress proper functioning of the body’s immune system and the skin’s natural defenses. All people, regardless of skin color, might be vulnerable to effects including impaired response to immunizations, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and reactions to certain medications.
