If you have ever seen giant blackheads on an elderly person, you may have been looking at a case of solar elastosis. This skin condition, actinic or solar elastosis, is preventable.
About solar comedones/senile comedones:
· acne-like lesions commonly found on the neck, nose, cheeks and around the eyes
· acne-like lesions: large blackheads, whiteheads, and occasional cysts
· most commonly affects areas on the face & neck that have had long term sun exposure
· skin of affected area may appear yellow, thick and leathery (solar elastosis)
· solar comedones arise in association with solar elastosis
· solar elastosis can arise from chronic sun exposure and/or smoking
· also known as Favre-Racouchot syndrome
· not related to acne vulgaris
· once comedones appear they remain present until extracted, and are likely to refill without proper care
How to prevent solar comedones/senile comedones:
· routine cleansing morning and night with a gentle cleanser
· daily application of exfoliating serum and/or retinoid serum
· moisturizer to protect and hydrate skin
· stop smoking or never start
· keep pores cleaned out or see a skin health practitioner for routine extractions
· sun protection: seek shade, wear a hat, daily use of non-comedogenic sunscreen, reapply sunscreen several times a day
· routine cleansing morning and night with a gentle cleanser
· daily application of exfoliating serum and/or retinoid serum
· moisturizer to protect and hydrate skin
· stop smoking or never start
· keep pores cleaned out or see a skin health practitioner for routine extractions
· sun protection: seek shade, wear a hat, daily use of non-comedogenic sunscreen, reapply sunscreen several times a day
For more information on how to prevent or manage solar elastosis please contact
916SKIN - ACNE CLINIC to schedule a consultation. (530) 680.2027
