Solar or actinic elastosis is a condition associated with chronic ultraviolet damage superimposed on aging skin. It presents as a yellowish thickened appearance to the skin which is bumpy and covered with furrows.
The condition is due to the accumulation of disordered elastic tissue in the upper and middle layers of the dermis, which are most susceptible to sun exposure. In this way solar elastosis is a biological indicator of the degree of ultraviolet-induced skin damage the individual has sustained, being a protective or compensatory response.
Risk factors
Long-term exposure to sunlight is the best-known risk factor for solar elastosis, with all skin types being equally affected. Smoking is another established risk factor, because it encourages …show more content…
In older people, elastosis may eventually increase the risk of melanoma of the skin.
Diagnosis and management
The diagnosis of solar elastosis is clinical supplemented by biopsy from the affected area. This shows loss of eosin staining in the upper skin layers resulting in a blue stain, with the appearance of grossly disorganized elastin fibers in the dermis. Treatment should be timely.
It may be possible to improve the cosmetic appearance of the elastotic skin using laser ablation, botulinum toxin injections to reduce nervous activity and relax the skin, dermal fillers to fill in the contours and reduce the depth of the furrows, and topical imiquimod.
In the long run, some of these lesions but not the majority may develop into a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. This is also a curable form of cancer if caught early, and so any change in a solar elastosis lesion should be taken seriously and screened by a dermatologist. A yearly screening is advisable in all cases.
Prevention
Solar elastosis can be prevented by:
• Using sunscreen and protective clothing when working or spending time outdoors for more than a few minutes
• Quitting
The condition is due to the accumulation of disordered elastic tissue in the upper and middle layers of the dermis, which are most susceptible to sun exposure. In this way solar elastosis is a biological indicator of the degree of ultraviolet-induced skin damage the individual has sustained, being a protective or compensatory response.
Risk factors
Long-term exposure to sunlight is the best-known risk factor for solar elastosis, with all skin types being equally affected. Smoking is another established risk factor, because it encourages …show more content…
In older people, elastosis may eventually increase the risk of melanoma of the skin.
Diagnosis and management
The diagnosis of solar elastosis is clinical supplemented by biopsy from the affected area. This shows loss of eosin staining in the upper skin layers resulting in a blue stain, with the appearance of grossly disorganized elastin fibers in the dermis. Treatment should be timely.
It may be possible to improve the cosmetic appearance of the elastotic skin using laser ablation, botulinum toxin injections to reduce nervous activity and relax the skin, dermal fillers to fill in the contours and reduce the depth of the furrows, and topical imiquimod.
In the long run, some of these lesions but not the majority may develop into a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. This is also a curable form of cancer if caught early, and so any change in a solar elastosis lesion should be taken seriously and screened by a dermatologist. A yearly screening is advisable in all cases.
Prevention
Solar elastosis can be prevented by:
• Using sunscreen and protective clothing when working or spending time outdoors for more than a few minutes
• Quitting