UV exposure continues as seasons change: pigmentation conditions need year-round care
Date posted
Dermatology specialist at JAYJUN Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Clinic Dr. Kang Minji, Director
Lower temperatures and sunlight that feels less hot do not necessarily mean a weaker effect from ultraviolet rays. UV can still affect the skin in late summer and early autumn, even after the heat subsides. Consistent sun protection and skin care are needed in every season to help prevent pigmentation conditions such as melasma, dark spots and freckles.UV is one of the main external factors that accelerate skin aging. It stimulates melanin production and can worsen existing pigmentation conditions or cause hyperpigmentation. Skin exposed to intense summer sunlight can continue to be affected by UV afterward, so cooler weather is no reason to neglect sun protection.
People often spend more time walking, hiking, playing golf and doing other outdoor activities in late summer and early autumn. Prolonged UV exposure outdoors can increase melanin production and darken melasma or other spots. Regular sunscreen use, combined with physical protection such as a hat or sun umbrella, can help when going outside.
Melasma is a common pigmentation condition in which broad brown or gray-brown patches appear around the cheekbones, forehead, nose or chin. Multiple factors are thought to act together, including UV, hormonal changes and genetic factors. Freckles and other dark spots also commonly develop on sun-exposed areas and can become darker with UV exposure.
Not every brown mark on the face is the same pigmentation condition. Melasma, freckles, age spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can differ in their causes and pigment characteristics, so they need to be distinguished accurately. People with an existing pigmentation condition should continue managing it, rather than stopping sun protection when the season changes.
Various laser treatments are now used to improve pigmentation conditions. Treatment can be planned after considering the pigment’s characteristics and the skin’s condition, but the same approach does not apply to every pigmentation problem. Excessive irritation can instead cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making an accurate diagnosis of the skin’s condition and the type of pigmentation essential before establishing an appropriate treatment plan.
Dr. Kang Minji, dermatology specialist and director at JAYJUN Dermatology, said: “UV can affect the skin regardless of the season or temperature, so it is important to make sun protection a year-round habit. The causes and treatments of pigmentation conditions can vary by type. Rather than treating them on your own, it is advisable to receive an accurate diagnosis from a specialist and follow treatment suited to your skin’s condition.”