How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin
How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin
Sun-damaged skin is a common concern amongst many people. Sun damage refers to the harmful effects that prolonged exposure to the sun can have on our skin. It can cause issues like sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. This is especially frequent in regions with high UV exposure all year around, such as Australia. Due to this high UV even those who are diligent with sunscreen may still experience signs of sun damage. In this blog, we'll explore the effects of sun damage, recommended treatments, and tips for protecting your skin.
What are the signs of sun damaged skin?
The symptoms of sun damaged skin will vary based on exposure and other conditions, but we've put together a list of the most common signs of sun damaged skins below.
Freckles, Hyperpigmentation and “Age Spots”
Extended sun exposure can lead to the development of freckles, hyperpigmentation, and age spots. Freckles are small, flat spots that can range from light to dark brown while, hyperpigmentation refers to areas of the skin that can become darker than the surrounding skin. Age spots, also known as liver spots appear as flat, brown spots that typically appear from being exposed to the sun over time. Harmful UV rays stimulate melanin production, causing these dark spots to form on the skin. At Clinica Lase we have multiple devices to treat this type of pigmentation, however we would always ensure you've had a skin check prior to treatment for your safety and piece of mind.
Melasma
Melasma is a condition characterised by irregular brown patches on the skin. While Melasma isn't directly related to sun damage, sun exposure can worsen the condition, making these patches more noticeable. There are often various causes of Melasma with the most common being hormonal changes, certain medications and excessive UV exposure. We have many ways in which we can help you manage and improve this condition at Clinica Lase, including Pico Genesis, Chemical Peels and other combined therapies. Additionally, we have a wide range of sunscreens to protect your skin all year round.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
UV energy breaks down collagen and elastin fibres in the skin, which are responsible for its elasticity and firmness, leading to fine lines and wrinkles which is a common concern as we age. As sun exposure reduces skin elasticity, it is contributing to premature ageing and sagging. Treatments we offer to address these concern include Laser Genesis, Pico Genesis, Pico Fractionated (MLA), Potenza and more. We believe your at home skincare routine and what you put on your skin morning and night is just as important and helps to reduce their appearance. Regularly moisturising your skin, keeping it hydrated and plump and incorporating ingredients like retinol or hyaluronic acid can help to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. We understand what it takes to prevent future damage and can establish tailored individual treatment and skincare plans to help stimulate collagen and elastin in your skin.
Broken Capillaries
Sun exposure can increase the presence of broken capillaries or spider veins on the face. These tiny blood vessels become more visible due to skin damage caused by UV rays and are very common. When the skin is exposed to excessive sun, the blood vessels near the surface can become dilated. While it is not possible to completely prevent broken capillaries, there are steps we can take to minimise their occurrence. Some factors like genetics and certain medical conditions can contribute to them, so it may not be possible to prevent them entirely, especially if you have a condition like rosacea. It is always a good idea to consult the dermal clinicians at Clinica Lase for personalised advice and treatment options which could include adjusting your skincare regime or discussing treatments like Laser genesis or Excel V.
Changes in Skin Texture
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres which can cause the skin to become dry, rough, uneven and even feel leathery. UV rays can also cause the skin to become dehydrated, further exacerbating textural issues, as well as increasing the risk of certain skin conditions like Actinic Keratosis and skin cancers like Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Actinic Keratosis, a common precancerous skin condition that can develop due to sun damage. It appears as rough, scaly patches on the skin, usually in areas that are frequently exposed to the sun like face, ears, scalp and hands. Regularly checking your skin for any changes or abnormalities is important and it is essential to consult a dermatologist if you're noticing concerning skin changes.
Recommended Treatments for Sun-Damaged Skin?
When it comes to treating sun-damaged skin, Clinica Lase offers a range of effective treatments tailored to specific symptoms.
Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels are used to address various sun damage symptoms. They involve the application of chemical solutions to the skin, which exfoliate the damaged outer layer and promote collagen production. They're excellent for improving texture of thickened epidermal build up, dehydration (not impaired), dull lifeless skin, congestion, sun damage and epidermal hyperpigmentation. The choice of peel depends on the specific symptoms and their severity. We have superficial peels to medium depth peels that we can tailor to your skin type. These can contain BHA's and AHA's including, salicylic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, phytic acid, trichoroacetic acid and more.
Pico Genesis
Pico Genesis is a cutting-edge laser treatment that targets pigmentation and uneven skin tone caused by sun damage. It offers a gentler approach, reducing the risk of damage to the surrounding skin, creating controlled damage through light energy that initiates skin healing rather than skin breakdown, having the opposite affect to UVA and UVB rays. With this treatment we are able to target the skin at a deeper level with attatching a Micro Lens Array to fractionate the laser to break up old cross-hatched collagen and produce new. We use Pico Genesis and Pico FX to treat hyperpigmentation, ephildes, sun spots, textured skin, fine lines and wrinkles and even melasma. It is the ideal treatment that we can use on not only just the face but the neck, chest and arms where sun damage can present the most.
Laser Genesis
Laser Genesis is an option for those seeking to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles and coagulate blood vessels that cause diffused redness within the skin. It stimulates collagen production, making the skin appear more youthful and smooth. By boosting collagen and elastin within the skin, laser genesis can reverse all signs of sun damage. This minimal downtime treatment is perfect to do at anytime of the day, any day of the week at Clinica Lase, it gives our skin the ultimate healthy glow.
Excel V
Excel V is effective in treating many vascular and pigmented skin issues including, broken capillaries, spider veins, cherry angiomas, venous lakes, acne, diffused redness and flushing, lentigines, poiklioderma and brown/red dyschromia. All these conditions can be brought on from excessive sun exposure or worsened by, which often result in the presentation of sun damage. Excel V uses two precise wavelengths to target, combat and eliminate the colour and depth of these malformations.
Intense Pulsed Light Laser (IPL)
IPL is a versatile treatment that can address various sun damage symptoms, including pigmentation, redness, and broken capillaries. It delivers intense powerful pulses of light to target and fade or correct the appearance of imperfections. Clinica Lase utilise IPL to activate the skins natural healing response when treating sun spots, rosacea, age spots and rough skin texture.
LED Light Therapy
LED therapy uses light of different wavelengths to stimulate collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making it a beneficial addition to sun damage treatments. It helps heal and support the skin barrier and repair and regenerate damaged skin. With reducing inflammation and promoting healing, LED increases the production of collagen and cell growth, combating and preventing signs of photo aging. Consistence use can brighten your complexion and keep your skin looking healthy.
Microneedling
Microneedling can be used on both the face and body, it works by creating microscopic channels into the dermis, stimulating the body's natural healing response and the production of new collagen and elastin, helping the skin to look and feel healthier. This treatment helps to thicken up our epidermal barrier and dermis keeping our skin strong and plump. It also helps with melanocyte regulation by preventing excessive melanin production migrating to the surface of the skin, promoting a more even tone working on both hyperpigmentation and hyperpigmentation. It's an effective treatment for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, scarring and reducing the signs of sun damage and pigmentation.
Potenza (RF Microneedling)
Potenza combines microneedling with radio frequency energy to enhance new collagen and elastin production, the building blocks of healthy, bright and younger looking skin. It's particularly effective for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving texture, shrinking pore size and tightening and firming the skin. Potenza promotes the delivery of our at home skincare regime to penetrate deeper into the skin for a faster acting result. Indicated for photo damaged skin including an uneven tone, sagging and texturised and fine line and wrinkles.
Oxygen Facial
Oxygen facials provide the ultimate intense hydration for dehydrated, mature and prematured aged skin. Clinica Lase infuse rejuvenating products into the skin that contain vitamins and antioxidants tailored to your skin type to give the skin the optimum lift and tone that it needs. Combined it three specific weights of hylaronic, which work together to provide exceptional hydration, satiate the skin and fight of free radical damage. Great for both the prevention and treatment of fine lines and wrinkles and dehydrated skin produced from UVA and UVB exposure. This treatment can be used to enhance your treatments and as part of a skin recovery program after chemical peels, non-ablative laser and IPL.
Cosmelan
Cosmelan effectively helps to remove pigment from the cells within the stratum corneum. It is indicated for discolouration, freckles, sun damage and melasma. It has a two effects to both correct and regulate the skin by inhibiting the activation of tyrosinase which will stop the melanosome from transferring to the keratinocytes, ultimately reducing the amount of new melanin being formed. In addition, it works on the stratum corneum by stimulating epidermal renewal and intensively combating the build up of melanin from sun exposure.
Topical Retinoids and Antioxidants
Topical retinoids and antioxidants can complement professional treatments. They help maintain skin health and can be a valuable addition to your skincare routine. Helping with cell turnover and protecting our skin against free radicals in the environment. Clinica Lase recommends many different and specific products for this purpose for daily at home use. Skincare is not a one size fits all so it is important to have a consultation with one of our Dermal Clinicians to discuss your at home regime.
Protect Your Skin This Summer
Sunscreen is an absolute must for protecting your skin from the sun and preventing sun damage. Prevention is key as it can be difficult to completely reverse sun damage. We recommend that you wear a broad spectrum sunscreen that is at least 30 or higher. It is important to apply sunscreen all year round, not just in Summer but Winter too, as we know weather is never a good indicator of UV levels.
Preventing sun damage is crucial. Clinica Lase emphasises the importance of using quality sunscreens, including physical and chemical options, for comprehensive protection. It's challenging to reverse sun damage completely, so prevention is key.
Physical:
Chemical:
Sun Damaged Skin Treatments at Clinica Lase
When it comes to sun-damaged skin, Clinica Lase is the ideal choice. With extensive experience in treating sun damage and state-of-the-art skin analysis technology, our experts provide the best course of treatment. Visit one of our clinic locations or contact us for guidance on maintaining youthful and healthy skin.