Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Even with the best skincare regimen, it can still be damaged by sun exposure over a lifetime. Sun exposure is one of the biggest risk factors for skin cancer as well as many different skin concerns like premature aging and pigmentation. Fortunately, there are a variety of skincare treatments that can reverse sun damage and rejuvenate your skin. Here are some of our favorite options.
What are the Signs of Sun Damage?
Although sunburn and pigmentation are usually the first types of sun damage to come to mind, there are some other concerns that can be a result of sun exposure. These include:
• Collagen breakdown
• Uneven skin tone
• Melasma
• Freckles
• Rosacea
• Wrinkles
Skin Treatments to Reverse Sun Damage
When you spend too much time in the sun, it can be harmful to your skin. Even if you’re not specifically trying to catch some rays while tanning, UV rays can cause damage if you don’t take precautions. Too much sun exposure can have long-lasting effects by prematurely aging your skin, changing the DNA of your skin cells, and of course, causing skin cancer. Fortunately, there are several skin treatments you can get to reverse sun damage. Some of our favorite options include:
• IPL Photofacial: Photofacial laser treatments can reverse sun damage to the skin by correcting discoloration. It uses specialized laser technology to emit broadband light that is absorbed by melanin in the skin, leading to a reduction in pigmentation issues, eliminating sunspots, and making pores appear smaller.
• HydraFacial: This non-invasive skincare treatment exfoliates and hydrates the skin while also using antioxidants to eliminate damage from free radicals. It’s a great option for all skin types and can be customized to your unique skincare needs.
• Microdermabrasion: This treatment can correct sun damage through micro-exfoliation and softening irregularities in the skin. It also stimulates the growth of new skin cells and collagen for healthier, tighter skin. This process can reduce concerns like texture and premature aging that often comes with sun damage.
• Chemical peels: A chemical peel is an extremely effective and customizable treatment for sun-damaged skin. Depending on the level of sun damage you’ve experienced, you can choose from light to deep chemical peels. They work by exfoliating the skin with a chemical solution to remove debris and damaged cells, revealing a new, healthy layer and boosting cell turnover.
• Retinol: This option is a great at-home treatment that can be used regularly to boost your skin’s cell turnover and reduce signs of sun damage. In many cases, it requires a prescription so your plastic surgeon can recommend your best options.
Prevention is Key
One of the best things you can do is avoid sun damage altogether. To do this, it’s important to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on a daily basis or any time you plan to go outside. If you’re outdoors for longer than two hours, you should reapply your sunscreen every two or three hours and even more frequently if you go into a body of water. Over a lifetime, this can prevent the compounding effects of regular sun exposure and prevent photoaging before it starts.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re looking at your options for treating sun damage and achieving clear, healthy skin, our team can help. To meet with Dr. Ashruf and our skin care specialists, we invite you to contact our Hanover office by calling or filling out our online form.
