Sun Damage Treatments

November 6th, 2013 Posted in Skin Rejuvenation
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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 

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Sunscreen 101

March 28th, 2013 Posted in Skin Rejuvenation
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You probably already know that wearing sunscreen is the single most important thing you can do to protect your skin from skin cancer, not to mention wrinkles, sagging and other signs of premature aging. Skin resurfacing can repair most sun damage, but you can prevent sun damage by wearing the right sunscreen. 

New products on the market give you more choices than ever. Traditionally, sunscreens are chosen based on their SPF rating, but SPF only addresses protection against UVB rays, the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn. To get a product that protects you against UVA rays – the deep penetrating rays that cause wrinkles – you need to look at the label for these ingredients: zinc oxide, ecamsule or avobenzone. 

As far as the SPF rating, it depends largely on skin type: 

Normal Skin – If you have normal skin, sunscreen with a rating of SPF 15 should suffice. It should be noted that higher ratings do not necessarily translate into much greater protection. In other words, while 15 SPF filters out 93 percent of UVB rays, 30 SPF filters out about 97 percent – not a dramatic increase. 

Sensitive Skin – Those with an increased sensitivity to sunlight include children, those with very fair skin and anyone who’s had cosmetic surgery. People in this category should use an SPF rating of 30 or higher.  

When applying sunscreen, don’t skimp. Use a generous amount and apply on every area that is exposed to the light. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you are doing sports. Remember to re-apply sunscreen immediately after swimming. Most of all, try to avoid staying out in the sun during the noontime hours, as this is the time the sun’s rays can do the most damage to your skin.

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