How Skin Becomes Sun Damaged
Soaking up the sun can feel wonderful—especially after a long and cold West Michigan winter! However, there is a fine line between healthy and unhealthy sun exposure that can leave lasting damage.
Treatment Options for Sun Damaged Skin
While it is incredibly tempting to bask in the rays of the sun, most people can really only tolerate a small amount of sunlight before burning becomes imminent. UVA radiation can damage the skin in less than one minute in certain circumstances. Repeated overexposure to these harmful rays is the main culprit behind a host of skin issues like wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, uneven tone, lost elasticity, dark spots, light spots, and even cancer. This is why it is imperative to properly prep your skin before heading into the sunlight with the proper sun protection.
How to Reverse Sun Damaged Skin
It is possible to improve the visible signs of sun-damaged skin, but results can vary based on how extensive the damage is. In some cases, sun damage can take years for it to reveal itself. If you’ve ever had a tan, your skin has been wounded by the sun! Even if your skin appears relatively flawless, you should still assume that sun damage is lurking below the surface. It’s important that you take the sun’s strength seriously, no matter your age or how your skin looks.
Best Skincare Products for Sun Damaged Skin
Younger skin tends to heal itself faster due to its more efficient cellular turnover rate which is why sun damage is less prominent in its appearance. However, you are never too young to start protecting your skin from the sun. Your first line of defense against sun-damaged skin lies in these three key topical products:
Sunscreen : Acts as a shield to prevent the sun’s rays from penetrating your skin. We recommend that you apply a non-chemical, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily. You should reapply at least every 80 minutes, especially on days when you are out in direct sunlight.
Retinol Cream : Moves out dead skin cells to make room for new, healthier cells. These creams are considered the “gold standard” for preventing and correcting the visible signs of sun-damaged skin. The powerful molecules in these creams act as an essential micronutrient that activates epithelial cell turnover, allowing for healthy new skin cells to form.
Antioxidant Serum : Contains robust anti-inflammatory nutrients that help to counteract the oxidative stress that causes cell damage, inflammation, and the subsequent visible changes in the skin. They support new collagen synthesis, more evenly toned skin, and healthier cell structure.
There are also other topical products formulated to target more extensive visible sun damage. These products often contain potent combinations of vital nutrients that support overall cell health and can be used in conjunction with sunscreens, retinols, and antioxidant serums. Explore our range of topical products through the Centre For Pure Skin to find quality, professional skin care.
Procedures for Sun Damaged Skin
Almost every single treatment and procedure we offer at the Centre for Pure Skin relates to sun damaged skin. As a part of a plastic surgery group, most of what we do is centered around cosmetically treating visible skin issues—around 90% of which are caused by the sun. Here is a list of a few of our most common treatments and procedures for improving sun damaged skin:
Facial Injections : Can be used to cosmetically correct the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and lost facial volume caused by sun damage. The noticeable results are temporary, so you can try it without worrying about permanent results. Popular treatments include neurotoxins like Botox® or Dysport® that work to soften lines and wrinkles where repetitive muscle movement occurs. Dermal fillers like Restylane® are used to contour and plump areas of the face where the skin’s structure has deteriorated.
Chemical Peels : Works to efficiently exfoliate layers of sun damaged skin cells to make room for new, healthier cells. The intensity of chemical peels ranges from very superficial to medium depth and can be customized to target issues like sun spots. They can also be used as an effective preventative measure.
Light Therapy : IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy directly targets cells with darkened melanocytes (also known as sun spots) by addressing the problem at its source. This treatment causes hyperpigmented cells to rise to the surface of the skin and eventually fall off the skin, effectively removing the discoloration. The HydraFacial® is also a unique, in-depth facial that provides deep hydration to dehydrated, dry skin that can be caused by sun damage and combines light therapy to treat pesky sun spots.
Skin Resurfacing : Morpheus8 RF Microneedling is a procedure that effectively delivers energy to the damaged superficial layers of the skin, helping to significantly reduce hyperpigmentation and rejuvenate areas affected by aging or sun damage.
Patient Review
“I recommend this place to anyone when they are discussing procedures. I’m very private with my own procedures, but have no problem giving this establishment my recommendation. I truly believe this is excellent care and they are very transparent. I’m never told something just to do something I have always been told the truth which I need.”* -Pure Skin Patient
“Annie is wonderful! She is a very skilled provider. Pure Skin is the best. I absolutely love my results. Highly recommend.”* -Pure Skin Patient, Annie Zimmerman
“Madeline is awesome! I love my HydraFacials. Madeline does an amazing job.”* -Pure Skin Patient, Madeline Jewell
Contact the Centre for Pure Skin to Treat Your Sun Damaged Skin
Healthy, pure skin is a vital component of beautiful skin. While we are medical professionals that are trained in how to support the health of your skin, we do not aim to replace a visit to your dermatologist. You should still have your skin checked yearly for more serious sun damage such as skin cancer in a dermatology clinic.
However, if you’d like to tackle the troublesome signs of visible sun damage we here are for you! Meet with one of our expert aestheticians to discover the best course of action to treat your sun damaged skin. Fill out our quick contact form to schedule your skincare consultation to get your personalized treatment plan.
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