While the golden glow of your tan may fade, one thing remains—the damage caused by the sun’s powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Dry skin, an unevenly toned complexion, and areas of hyperpigmentation (including sun spots and freckles) are all remnants of the past season. While you may not be able to entirely undo the days spent basking in the sun’s glory, there are steps you can take to improve the appearance and health of your skin.
Take Time to Exfoliate
Exfoliation fights summer skin damage by removing sun damaged and dead skin cells. Professional strength chemical peels, like SkinMedica’s Vitalize Peel™, penetrate deep within the skin to dissolve and evenly clear away built up cells. Composed of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol, the Vitalize Peel’s list of active ingredients also includes a retinol solution. The peel’s efficacy is enhanced by stacking and applying these peeling agents together. As the skin peels, old and unhealthy skin cells that can hold excess pigmentation are replaced with new, healthy, and robust cells.
Quick Fact: Chemical peels and laser treatments can decrease your chance of developing skin cancer as both work to remove sun damaged and unhealthy skin cells.
Rebuild Collagen Stores
Sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin within the skin. Responsible for keeping the skin firm and tight, a loss of collagen and elastin can emphasize fine lines and wrinkles and cause loose and saggy skin. Laser treatments, like R Medical Spa’s ProFractional™ treatment, can stimulate the skin’s natural healing process to create and rebuild new collagen stores.
Sun Damage is Not Limited to Your Face
While we tend to focus our attention on our faces, sun damage can occur anywhere the sun is able to touch—skin rejuvenation should reflect this. The neck, chest, and décolletage, as well as the arms and hands, can also show UV wear. Chemical peels, laser treatments, and skincare products can be used to reverse sun damage on these sensitive and often forgotten areas.
Make the Most of the Fall Weather
The cooler months of fall provide an opportune time to address any sun damage that your skin was exposed to during this past summer. Still fresh, sun damaged skin will respond well to your chosen treatment. Removing or damaging the skin’s protective layer, both chemical peels and laser treatments make your skin more susceptible to further sun damage. While we always recommend a broad spectrum sunscreen, in the sun’s absence, you are much better protected from prolonged exposure to UV damage.
Healthy skin is happy skin. By taking the time to take care of your skin this fall, you not only ensure a beautiful and lustrous complexion, but also the health of your skin. Please schedule a personal consultation at Renaissance Plastic Surgery’s R Medical Spa to learn more about skin saving skincare treatments.