What Can Be Done about Sun Damage?
By Donna Burns | Published on January 24, 2011 | 0 Comments
Long-term exposure to the sun can wreak havoc on your skin. According to Donna Burns of Lifetime Laser in New York, sun exposure breaks down collagen, decreases elasticity, causes discoloration and dramatically accelerates your skin’s aging process. Burns, whose medical spa offers a wide range of anti-aging treatments like the photo facial, chemical peel and microdermabrasion in Smithtown, says that although prevention is best, there are ways to counteract the effects of sun exposure and restore your skin’s youthful glow and elasticity.
Photo Facial
One option for reversing sun damage is the photo facial. This procedure is generally used for color correction and can treat freckles, age spots, hyperpigmentation, scars and redness. It can also be used to improve the appearance of fine lines and spider veins. The treatment uses a technology called ELOS, which combines light and radio frequency energies that are attracted to red and brown areas of the skin. “It gets rid of all those brown spots we get from the sun, and can address broken capillaries as well,” says Burns. “And the radiofrequency has a skin tightening effect, so it closes up the pores.”
Chemical Peel
Another popular and effective way to deal with sun damage is the chemical peel. A chemical peel involves the use of AHAs (alphahydroxy acids) to exfoliate, tighten, smooth, and improve the texture and appearance of the skin. The team at Lifetime Laser, Burns says, uses a type of chemical peel made by PCA Skin. The chemical peel stimulates the skin’s collagen production while reducing the appearance of surface imperfections.
There are different types of PCA chemical peels available to treat different skin conditions. Chemical peels are excellent at treating facial blemishes and acne, uneven skin pigmentation, fine wrinkles, and damage caused by the sun, aging, and other sources of concern.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is one of the oldest types of treatments available to address the effects of sun exposure. Like a chemical peel, microdermabrasion can be used to treat brown spots and other pigmentation issues. Rather than using AHAs to exfoliate the skin, microdermabrasion involves the use of aluminum oxide crystals, vitamin C crystals, and other mild abrasives to remove the dead layers on the top of the skin.
By removing the top layer of skin, Burns says, microdermabrasion produces noticeable results right away. Pores are unclogged, discolorations are improved, and fine lines and wrinkles become less prominent. In addition to reversing sun damage, microdermabrasion is also highly effective at treating blotchy skin, small scars, wrinkles, keratoses, large pores, whiteheads, and uneven skin texture.
Choosing a Spa
When selecting a medical spa for your skin care procedures, you’ll want to choose an experienced, professional team that offers a wide range of treatment options to address your sun-related concerns. In Smithtown and Miller Place, Lifetime Laser is an excellent choice. Lifetime Laser has been serving its community for 18 years, providing cutting-edge treatments and excellent service to help clients achieve their aesthetic goals.
“For me to be satisfied, our clients have to be 100% satisfied,” says Burns. “Customer satisfaction is number one.”
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.