In our youth, we think we’re invincible. From wiggling, squirming, and whining our way out of sunscreen as children, to purposely soaking up those rays sans sunblock in our teens and 20s, even if you’re wearing sunscreen 24/7 now, you’re likely seeing those years without sunscreen show up now – especially on your face.
Whether UV radiation has left you with age spots, crow’s feet, frown lines, or melasma, you can reverse the signs of sun damage.
We all love the sun, but the first step to reversing sun damage is protecting your skin from worsening. Wear a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen (preferably SPF 45 or 60) everyday, rain or shine, even in the winter – the sun’s UV rays are emitted year-round and snow, sand, and water reflect UV rays. Try to stay in the shade, but if you’re exposed, be sure to wear protective clothing. Get your Vitamin D from a supplement and stay away from tanning beds! While prevention is crucial, however, there are cosmetic dermatological treatments that can rejuvenate your sun damaged skin, restoring it to its former glory:
1. Microdermabrasion
Quick and convenient, microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment that works wonderfully to minimize the impact of sun damage. A clinical exfoliation method, microdermabrasion uses a diamond-tipped wand to blow air-driven diamond crystals over your skin, which removes the top layer of sun damaged skin, exposing the smoother, live skin cells beneath. By cleansing, abrading, and exfoliating your skin, microdermabrasion triggers collagen production, minimizes enlarged pore, improves scarring, and evening out skin tone.
2. Laser Treatments
Dr. Rao is an expert researcher in the use of laser technology in dermatology. From Intense Pulse Light (IPL) to Laser Genesis, laser treatments correct sun damage issues like lines, wrinkles, and discolouration by tightening and polishing the skin, promoting health cell growth and smoothing tone and texture. Laser treatments use high-energy light to remove the top, damaged layer or skin – it effectively resurfaces and retextures the skin, removing superficial lines and wrinkles and promoting collagen production.
3. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatments
Widely known as the “Vampire Facelift,” PRP uses the healing power of your own blood. For PRP treatments, your blood is drawn and put in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and serum from the blood cells. Afterwards, the platelets are enriched with growth factors then injected into your skin to accelerate tissue repair and stimulate collagen production. Your own platelets provide unparalleled healing properties to reverse sun damage, giving you glowing, radiant skin.
4. Daily Advanced Skin Care
No matter what treatment you choose, a health skin care regime is crucial not only to treating sun damage, but simply for taking good care of your skin. Chronic UV exposure (which we’re all subject to) speeds up your skin’s aging, but exfoliating, using antioxidants, and hydrating your skin with an effective skin care regimen will revitalize your skin. At Rao Dermatology, we offer a skin care regimen backed by science: Skinceuticals. An award winning skin care line that uses only pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, Skinceuticals effectively prevents sun damage and aging while also treating imperfection and maintaining healthy skin. Skinceuticals offers a variety of products, like C E Ferulic, Reservatrol, Hydra Balm, and Daily Moisture that are proven to improve your skin – but we’ll suggest product selections tailored to your skin and your goals.
Is your skin starting show signs of sun damage? Contact us in the form below for a free consultation.
