Actinic damage is damage to the skin caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources, such as tanning beds.
The most common form of actinic damage is actinic keratosis (AK), which are precancerous skin lesions that are rough, scaly, and pink or red in color. AKs are often found on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, scalp, neck, and backs of the hands.
Other forms of actinic damage include:
- Actinic cheilitis: This is a condition that causes the lower lip to become red, scaly, and dry.
- Solar elastosis: This is a condition that causes the skin to become leathery and wrinkled due to sun damage.
- Solar lentigines: These are small, brown spots that are caused by sun exposure.
- Basal cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of skin cancer. It is usually slow-growing and can be cured if it is detected and treated early.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the second most common type of skin cancer. It is usually more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma, but it is still usually curable if it is detected and treated early.
- Melanoma: This is the most serious type of skin cancer. It can spread to other parts of the body, and it can be fatal.
There are a number of things that beauty professionals and estheticians can do to help prevent actinic damage, including:
- Encourage clients to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.
- Advise clients to wear protective clothing, such as hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirts, when they are in the sun.
- Remind clients to avoid tanning beds.
- Educate clients about the signs and symptoms of actinic damage, so that they can seek treatment early if they develop any of these conditions.