Sun Damaged Skin, Cancer, Condition

Sun burn causes the top layers of your skin to release chemicals that make blood vessels swell and release fluid. Although the dead layers of skin peel - revealing new healthy skin, the damage of sun burn remains. A sun burn that results in blistering of the skin can significantly increase your risk of melanoma.

The best way to avoid sun damaged skin is to avoid exposure to the sun:

Always wear a hat, sunglasses and appropriate clothing if you are going to be exposed
Use factor 15 or higher sun screen and reapply it frequently
Stay in the shade during midday (10:00 – 16:00)
Do not use tanning booths or sun beds

In addition to the risk of melanoma, sun damage can cause your skin to age prematurely. You skin can become very dry, develop deep wrinkles, develop brown lesions (called liver spots), or develop rough, crusty patches called solar keratosis.

An experienced consultant dermatologist may be able to treat your sun damaged skin.

* Source: NHS Choices

Related tests and scans

Dermoscope

A dermoscope is a microscope like device used by dermatologists to examine individual skin lesions more closely.

Excisional biopsy

An excisional biopsy may be done if a needle biopsy can not be used, or if a needle biopsy does not give a definite result.

Itching (Pruritus) Assessment

Itching (pruritus) is an unpleasant sensation causing you to respond by scratching.

Mole assessment

Over the past 25 years, rates of malignant melanoma in Britain have risen faster than any other common cancer.

Related treatments and procedures

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy can be used to eradicate prostate cancer, as well as to treat skin lesions and sun spots

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are injections to reduce and smooth signs of ageing and can give you a younger, healthier look. The treatment is very short with no recovery time, so we can schedule your treatment around your working day.

Dermatological surgery

Dermatological surgery includes benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) surgery of the skin.

Dermatopathology

A dermatopathologist is a specialist in dermatology and pathology. When a dermatologist takes a sample of your skin for analysis and diagnosis, the sample is often examined by a dermatopathologist under a microscope.

Excision of skin lesion

Skin lesions are found on or just below the skin. Examples of skin lesions are epidermoid cysts, lipomata (benign tumour of fatty tissue), skin tags and moles.

Facial resurfacing

Laser resurfacing services are available that use the new generation of carbon dioxide lasers.

Mohs micrographic surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is an advanced surgical technique for removing skin cancers.

Photodermatology

Phototherapy

Some skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, general itchy skin, other dermatitis can be treated using ultraviolet light under medical supervision. This is called phototherapy or light therapy.

Skin assessment clinic

Our experienced consultants can visually assess skin lesions and (if necessary) scan them using state-of-the-art scanning equipment to analyse and detect even the smallest changes. The procedure is painless, quick and safe.

Skin cancer surgery

There are several types of surgery for skin cancer. In the first instance your consultant may want to perform an excisional biopsy to confirm the cancer and remove it.

Skin grafts for leg ulcers

During this treatment, a small piece of skin is grafted from another area of your body onto a leg ulcer.

Skin rejuvenation

Skin surgery

Many of our hospitals offer surgery for benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions of the skin.

Sun damaged skin