Photoaging plays a big role and is considered an external cause for the aging process. It is given this name because of the damaging affects the sun and its ultraviolet rays have on the skin over a period of time regardless of race, color or creed. These changes are more easily seen in the fair-skin population than those with dark skin.
Changes which can occur together, or at different times during the aging process include freckles; age spots; rough and leathery skin; fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched; loose skin; blotchy complexion; wart-like lesions; rough, reddish, skin and colored or brownish skin patches.
In the dark skin population, the signs of photoaging are usually, but not always, limited to fine wrinkles; rough, wart-like lesions; moles that are either flat or protruding and discolored or an uneven skin complexion. That does not give the okay for dark-skinned people to spend long or short intense periods in the sun because they too can be at risk for abnormal skin cell changes that can be cancerous.
As we age, changes - either wanted or unwanted, occur on the skin and may be noticed because of the unanticipated general loss of skin tone in sun exposed areas, or dryness, roughness, itchiness or increasing spottiness to the skin. On the other hand, changes may be noticed on the skin because of improved complexion, resolving acne and oil reduction. Either way, our attention is heightened to what is going on with our skin to actually seek medical attention or continue with what is working for us at that time. As a result, the addition of sun exposure for either long or short intense periods of time will help to augment the already aging and changing skin cell process. Therefore, as time goes by, the amount and growth of unwanted dark spots such as freckles; solar lentigines (known as age or liver spots); wrinkles; droopy skin; lips that become drawn, pale and thin; yellowish-looking skin; rough leathery skin and broken blood vessels on the nose and cheeks become more visible and skin cancers can increase.
Keeping in mind that aging is inevitable, and changes begin from the mid-20s and beyond, the following preventative and regular skin care regimes can help to slow down signs of aging and/or the photoageing skin process.
o Daily application of sunscreen with UVA and/or UVB coverage, regardless of race, color or creed, sun or no sun, or season. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed parts of the body - face, neck, arms and legs and then reapplied after sweating or swimming.
o Sun protective accessories, umbrellas, hats and shades should be used without embarrassment. This goes for men as well as women.
o Creams with antioxidants such as Vitamins E, Vitamin C and coffee/berry enhance the ability of skin cells to repair the damage done by ultraviolet radiation on a daily basis.
o Procedures that assist in skin rejuvenation over a period of time, that help to exfoliate old or damaged skin cells to encourage the increase in skin cell turnover stimulating younger healthier skin cells. Such procedures are microdermabrasions or chemical peels, facials, extractions and laser treatment just to name a few.
We only have one body and we must do our best to take care of it using the correct substances that are right for our skin type and not someone else's because how we treat ourselves now will determine how our body will treat us as we go through the aging process.

oDr. Rokeisha Clare-Kleinbussink studied at Cosmetology Cosmetic Training for Dermal Filler in London, UK and attended the Academy of Beauty Training for Laser and Microdermabrasion in Nottinghamshire, UK. She is also an associate lecturer of dermatology at the University of The West Indies. She has a private practice at Roseona House of General and Cosmetic Dermatology and can be reached at 422-2022.

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