About 2-3 months after I finished radiation I had some new freckles on my neck and figured I would have them checked the next time I went to the dermatologist. I'm 7 months post radiation now and all but one of the freckles has faded away and the skin color looks normal. I haven't been to the dermatologist yet, but I still plan to tell her what happened and have her check out the area just to be safe.
May 1
Noticing changes to freckles and moles after radiation is something worth paying close attention to, and it's great that you're already planning to check with your doctor!
Radiation is known to cause a range of skin changes in the treated area, including:
- Discoloration or darkening
- Redness
- Changes in skin texture
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Noticing changes to freckles and moles after radiation is something worth paying close attention to, and it's great that you're already planning to check with your doctor!
Radiation is known to cause a range of skin changes in the treated area, including:
- Discoloration or darkening
- Redness
- Changes in skin texture
- Increased sensitivity to UV rays One important thing to know is that both chemotherapy and radiation can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, making it more vulnerable to UV rays. This heightened sensitivity can sometimes cause existing freckles and moles to appear more prominent or change in appearance.
Health professionals recommend being extra cautious about sun exposure in the treated area for at least a year after radiation. Some helpful tips include:
- Wearing long sleeves and sun-protective clothing
- Using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen
- Reapplying sunscreen every two hours
- Avoiding peak midday sun
Since changes to moles and freckles can sometimes signal something that needs attention, flagging this with your doctor promptly is absolutely the right move!
April 29
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