Hi everyone, Tara RN here! The groundhog didn’t see his shadow this year and that means spring is (hopefully) right around the corner! I know we have all been missing the sun these last few months and are itching to get out and soak up some vitamin D. So, let’s talk about sun exposure and the safe ways to enjoy it. First and foremost, prevention is key when is comes to sun exposure. It is recommended that for a sunscreen to be most effective it needs to be a SPF of 30 or greater, and reapplied every two hours (or more if sweating or swimming). In addition to wearing a daily sunscreen, proper attire is crucial to protecting your skin (wide brim hats, sunglasses, swim-shirts etc.). Also, if possible, avoid direct sun exposure primarily during the times of day when the sun is most intense (10am – 2pm).
I know most of us have either lathered up in baby oil as a teen, or accidentally got too much sun at the beach and are now left with the damaging reminders. Some signs of sun damage are brown or red pigmentation on the skin, fine lines and wrinkles, dryness and textural concerns. These signs of sun damage typically appear months to years after being over exposed to the sun and can leave a person wondering how to fix these issues. Fortunately, there are options available to help reverse the symptoms of sun damage, and help restore that youthful appearance prior to your sun exposure.
Here at Yonick Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Center we offer a multitude of options to minimize sun damage such as, broad band light therapy, Halo laser, and medical grade skin care. Broad band light therapy, or BBL is one of our many procedures that can target multiple concerns all in one treatment. Specifically, our Forever Young BBL treatment targets brown pigment (think sun spots & freckles), telangiectasias (think about those red squiggles by your nose), and can help your skin appear rejuvenated and more youthful. Our Forever Young BBL is an hour appointment and is virtually painless with zero downtime. Results can be seen with one treatment alone, but we recommend a series of three for optimal results.
If you’re looking for the Cadillac of treatments to help rid years of sun damage, you need to check our Halo laser procedure. This treatment is completely customizable to target browns and reds specifically at the depth they lie in the dermis. This is an ablative AND non-ablative laser treatment all in one. This state-of-the-art procedure takes about an hour to complete, has little to no downtime, and helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to provide a more youthful look and improve texture, tone, and wrinkles.
In addition to BBL and Halo, there are a variety of medical grade products such as retinol that can help minimize dark spots, improve texture and tone, and even diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is the gold standard product that most people should eventually have in their skincare regimen because it addresses so many concerns. It is a derivative of vitamin A, and increases cellular turn over and boosts collagen production. Retinol is a fantastic product, but be sure you are getting it from a medical professional that can further explain the use, and find a strength that is right for your specific skin type.
Long story short, yes, sun damage can be reversed, but prevention is your best bet to keep your skin healthy and to help slow down the appearance of aging. Whether you’re looking to reverse the symptoms of sun damage, or merely looking for a daily sunscreen, come see us at Yonick and we will tailor a plan specific to your concerns and needs. Enjoy that sunshine, and don’t forget your sunscreen!