By now, we are all familiar with the benefits of sunscreen. When used properly, sunscreen can protect us from the sun’s harmful rays while allowing us to enjoy our outdoor activities worry-free.
Note the key words “when used properly.”
Because although we’re much better at protecting our skin these days, we still don’t always apply – or properly apply – sunscreen. Add to that the damage left over from our misspent youth when we didn’t really know or care about sunscreen, and that spells trouble in the form of lines, wrinkles, and discolorations.
There is a plethora of information available regarding sunscreen and its use, so we will not spend a lot of time discussing it. In short, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day with an SPF value of 30 or higher (the higher the better). To maximize its effect, apply it 30 minutes before heading out into the sun, and then reapply it at least every two hours.
The sun can cause some pretty severe damage to our skin, ranging from age spots to skin cancer. But for today, we’re going to address cosmetic issues. One of the most significant is premature aging.
In fact, the number one cause of “extrinsic aging” (aging caused by the environment) is sun exposure. Research indicates that UV exposure is a primary contributor to 80 percent of our skin’s aging. Why?
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) light, which damages our skin and causes sunburn. This UV radiation that penetrates our skin actually alters the DNA of our skin cells, causing the lines, wrinkles, discolorations, and uneven pigmentations that make us look older. Without a doubt, the cumulative effects of excessive sun damage can wreak havoc. To address cellular damage, you must go below the skin’s surface.
Topical creams and serums can fade dark marks to a certain extent, especially if they contain lightening ingredients like vitamin C. However, although creams and serums can help improve the appearance of skin, they do virtually nothing to help repair damage, unless they contain retinol.
So what do you do about it?
The answer to that is laser therapy treatments. Laser therapy treatments are performed in-office with very little to no downtime. They work by emitting short pulses of light that go below the surface of the skin to repair and remove the damage caused by the sun.
Laser treatments have advanced significantly in recent years, making them even more effective and affordable. At Dermatology Associates, we utilize several of the most advanced treatment lasers on the market to help reverse sun damage, including the BBL® HEROic and the NewSurg KTP™ laser.
The BBL HEROic (BBL stands for Broad Band Light) delivers light energy to gently heat the upper layers of your skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted areas will stimulate your skin cells to regenerate. In addition, the light energy penetrates deep into the skin to boost your body’s natural ability to fight the appearance of aging. The result? Skin that’s naturally beautiful and visibly younger looking, year after year!
The NewSurg KTP laser is an effective way to remove pigmented lesions, such as brown spots and freckles. The intense beam of light precisely targets the area to eliminate the pigment without affecting the surrounding skin.
So if you’re noticing that those freckles are actually age spots, or the “dimple” that suddenly appeared is actually the beginnings of a “marionette” line, you owe it to yourself to check out laser therapy treatments. At Dermatology Associates, we’d welcome the opportunity to consult with you.
Dermatology Associates offers a full spectrum of leading-edge medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services from offices in Savannah and Vidalia.
