The summer sunshine can be hard on our skin, even if we try our best to wear sunscreen every day. One of the tricky things about treating sun damage is that you often don’t notice its signs until that summer glow begins to fade.
If you are starting to see dark spots, uneven skin tone or texture, rough patches or lines and wrinkles, your skin could probably use a pick-me-up to reverse sun damage. Take a look at some of the best treatments for sun damaged skin, based on symptoms.
Dark Spots and Freckles
When skin is exposed to the sun, it creates more of the pigment melanin in order to protect against damage. This can result in dark spots, freckles and uneven skin tone that may be especially visible after a tan has faded from your skin.
To correct dark spots and uneven skin tone, broadband light (BBL) treatments are one of the best options. BBL treatments are a type of intense pulsed light (IPL) that emit pulses of light at various wavelengths in order to target both deeper layers of skin and the upper surface layer at the same time. The light energy breaks up excess melanin in the skin, eliminating dark spots over the next 1 to 2 weeks.
BBL skin treatments are gentle and typically well-tolerated by most skin types. However, those with darker skin tones will see the best results with a BBL device such as Sciton’s BBL HERO® that uses specific wavelengths designed to be safe on darker skin. Other types of light and laser devices may cause hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones, so be sure to discuss your options with your skincare professional prior to treatment.
Dry, Rough Texture
The summer sunshine can also dry out our skin, causing dehydration and a dull, rough complexion. If your skin is looking or feeling dry, flaky or lackluster, consider treatments that will restore your skin’s hydration and exfoliate away dead, flaky skin cells to reveal a smooth, soft and radiant complexion.
HydraFacial®, for example, is a gentle, relaxing way to repair dry, dull skin at summer’s end. This three-step facial deeply cleanses, hydrates, exfoliates and protects your skin in a single 30-minute session. It is also gentle enough for all skin types, so even those with sensitive skin can benefit from the rejuvenating benefits of HydraFacial.
Chemical peels are also great options to revive dull, flaking skin. Peels use exfoliating ingredients like natural alpha and beta hydroxy acids to peel away the outer layer of dead skin cells, revealing the fresh layer of skin underneath. Chemical peels come in a variety of strengths, making them customizable based on your skin type and specific needs.
Lines and Wrinkles
Over time, you may begin to notice fine lines and wrinkles developing in areas that are often exposed to the sun, such as around your mouth or on your forehead. The sun’s UV rays break down the collagen and elastin in our skin, causing premature signs of aging to show up on the surface. While wearing daily sunscreen and avoiding tanning are two of the best ways to prevent age-related sun damage, there are ways you can help to reverse wrinkles caused by the sun, too.
Following a consistent medical-grade skincare regimen aimed at rebuilding collagen and protecting against oxidative stress is one long-term way you can help to smooth away lines and wrinkles. For a more immediate improvement, consider injectables like dermal fillers and/or neuromodulators like BOTOX® and Dysport®. Though these treatments offer temporary benefits, results can last anywhere from 3 to 18 months, depending on the type of injectable you choose.
Sarasota Facial Aesthetics recognizes that you have a choice when it comes to your facial rejuvenation and skin care needs. The practice is founded on providing patients with an honest, healthy, realistic approach to revitalizing unwanted facial and skin conditions.
