Sun Damaged Skin

The damage our skin suffers from sunlight is cumulative and often gradual, so the effects appear as we age and worsen with time. Tanning beds provide the same UV light as the sun, making them just as dangerous. To protect itself from the damaging effects of the sun, your skin increases its production of the dark brown pigment called melanin. In some cases, the sun causes an uneven increase in melanin production, which produces irregular coloring of the skin. Repeated exposure to sunlight, especially ultraviolet light, can cause a variety of cosmetic and medical problems in our skin. These include

• Telangiectasia (red or purple “spider veins”)
• Hyperpigmentatin
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Thinning of the skin
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Lesions/Moles
• Melanoma and other skin cancers
• Rough skin texture

Skin color changes caused by sun exposure are common, the most noticeable sun induced pigment change is solar lentigenes commonly known as brown spots. Light-skinned people are particularly prone to freckles also known as age spots or liverspots that can appear on the hands, chest, shoulders, arms, and upper back. Older people who are light-skinned-are prone to a pre-cancer condition known as actinic keratosis.

Even with the risks associated with exposure to the sun, it is still possible to enjoy the outdoors. You just need to take precautions. It starts with a trip to a dermatologist. The doctor will carefully examine your skin to identify areas of sun damage. They can customize a treatment plan to address these visible signs of sun damage as well as provide guidelines to prevent additional sun-related skin issues.  Some tips for avoiding further damage include:

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 30. It should also contain zinc oxide to protect your skin from UVA rays. Put the lotion on 20 minutes before going outside. Refresh it every 2 hours you are in the sun, as well.
• Wear sunglasses with UV protection to keep the skin around your eyes safe. A hat will also protect your face and neck.
• Try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its peak between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

While you may not be able to reverse all of the effects of sun damage, Premier offers a range of treatments that can minimize the damage. Because we are driven by the goal to achieve the best version of you, we will work with you and recommend the best treatments for you.

• Chemical peels use a chemical agent to remove layers of your skin to expose the healthy, fresh skin below. Treatment can eliminate sunspots and brown spots from sun damage and also enhance your skin’s tone and texture.
• Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive epidermal resurfacing procedure used to treat uneven skin tone/texture, photoaging and melasma.
• Photodynamic therapy treats precancerous skin spots without damaging healthy skin nearby. Your provider applies medications to your skin and activates them with a specialized light to destroy unhealthy, sun-damaged cells.
• Laser treatments can remove the surface layers of your skin to treat brown spots, fine lines, and mild wrinkles. The providers can also use laser technology to treat spider veins and improve your skin’s tone, texture, and firmness.
• When sunspots are mild or moderate in appearance, then prescription medicines like Retin-A and alpha hydroxy acid gel may be enough to reverse the condition.
• Botox and dermal fillers can be used to smooth out the fine lines and provide volume where there is loss of collagen.