Summer is reaching its end, and you have been having a wonderful time, playing and baking in the glorious summer sun. You know this is bad for your skin in so many ways, and you are starting to wonder about the damage your sun worshipping may have caused. Is there a way to remedy this? Can we reverse some of sun’s damaging effects? Cosmetic Laser CentersSM has you covered!
The best thing to do is to start using an SPF of 30 or higher with both UVA and UVB coverage. This will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, giving your skin time to heal and reduce your risk of skin cancer. The longer you are out of the sun, the more time your immune system has to heal the damage that has already been done.
Exfoliating the top layers of dead skin cells (stratum corneum) will help improve the look of the dark, blotchy appearance that your skin may have taken on. Exfoliation will leave your skin looking smoother and brighter.
Topical retinoids are available in OTC formulations and are available at both of our locations. Many can only be purchased by physicians’ offices like ours. These increase the skin’s cellular turnover, decreasing sun damage and reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. In cases where stronger retinoid may be needed (i.e.: Retin-A®), we will refer you to your dermatologist for a prescription. Keep in mind, most retinoids are for nightly use only and make your skin extra-sensitive to the effects of the sun and UV, therefore extra caution must be taken when using them.
Additionally, daily use of antioxidants containing Vitamin C, E and other components help to “reverse” the effects of harmful UV. Ask our providers and esthetician for their personal favorites!
Hydrating with extra moisturizer will help to plump up your skin that has been dried out from all that playtime in chorine and salt-water. Daily moisturizer is essential for healthy skin that is trying to bounce back from excessive sun.
Professional SkinMedica® chemical peels and microdermabrasions by our highly experienced esthetician will also help considerably.
Think that your sun damage is too severe for any cosmeceutical-grade or over the counter product to help? Not a worry! Cosmetic Laser CentersSM has a solution for you as well.
Our IPL® devices and fractional lasers may be just what you need. These target the pigmented lesions and reduce their appearance in your skin over a series of treatments. These treatments are ideally performed once any suntan has faded; fall and winter are commonly preferred for these types of more aggressive treatments.
Visiting professionals like Cosmetic Laser CentersSM for help and custom recommendations is always a good bet, especially if your post-summer skin damage is worse than normal. Call today to get started 724-935-4200!
