Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1503366
Exclusive member benefit: Get the ASCP SkinPro app at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 35 SKIN PHYSIOLOGY Too Much Fun in the Sun Your guide to hyperpigmentation caused by the sun by Samuel Hetz SUMMERTIME IS ABOUT BEING OUTDOORS, enjoying the warm weather, and exploring seasonal activities. While the sun can help elevate your mood, it also emits dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage skin at the cellular level. Sun damage is directly linked to premature aging and severe conditions like skin cancer. One of the most common signs of sun damage is hyperpigmentation in the form of sunspots (medically known as solar lentigines). While sunspots are noncancerous, they can aff ect appearance and self-esteem, so your clients might come to you to seek treatment. SUNSPOTS VS. POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION While sunspots and post-infl ammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) are both forms of hyperpigmentation, there are key diff erences. Sunspots, sometimes referred to as liver spots, are fl at, dark spots on the skin that typically appear when the skin is overexposed to the sun. The most common areas clients experience these spots are on sun-exposed areas like the face, shoulders, back, and hands. At the base level, hyperpigmentation appears from an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. Sunspots are usually benign, meaning they are noncancerous, but they can become a cosmetic concern, making skin appear uneven and aged. Sunspots can occur in people of all ages and skin tones, but they are more common