Years of basking in the sun can wreak havoc on your skin. The dewy youthful glow is gone, and in its place, rough leathery skin, sun spots and wrinkles. But the damage doesn’t have to be permanent. Many are finding very pleasing results with dermatological advancements in skin resurfacing and rejuvenation such as chemical peels and laser skin therapy.
Chemical peels use a chemical solution made of salicylic, glycolic, lactose or other type of acid to remove the outer layers of the skin, revealing the fresh, newer skin below. Which solution to use on your skin largely depends on your skin type and type and extent of skin damage. To see significant results, it usually takes between four and six treatments.
Laser skin therapy, on the other hand, uses short bursts of light aimed directly at the wrinkle or sun spot to remove the skin’s outer layers. Recovery time lasts about two weeks, and a typical therapeutic program usually consists of four treatments spaced four weeks apart.
It’s important to remember that if you are using a chemical peel or laser therapy to remove sun damage, you must stay out of the sun. Period. Any treatment that removes the outer layers of the skin leaves skin sensitive and vulnerable to sunburn and other damage. If you must venture out, wear a sun block or sunscreen with very high protection. In addition, a long term skin care regimen recommended by your dermatologist is an absolute must.
Posted on behalf of Benjamin Stong, MD, Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC