Is It Possible to Reverse Sun Damage?

  If you’re a self-avowed sun worshipper, your skin may now be showing fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and hyperpigmentation as a result. Especially if you didn’t take measures to protect your skin. Even so, while it’s not possible to reverse sun damage, there are advanced treatments that can help decrease signs of sun damage and restore skin health. What Happens to Skin in the Sun? When the skin is penetrated by UV rays from the sun, there’s an acceleration in the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen is necessary for keeping the skin smooth, while elastin fibers help it retain its shape. The breakdown of these components leads to sunspots, sagging, and the formation of wrinkles. Fortunately, advancements in dermatological technology go the distance in reversing the visible effects of sun damage. The following top three are among the top solutions:
  1. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is a non-surgical procedure that ablates the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Then the energy can enter into the deeper layer (the dermis). This results in an immediate contraction of the skin which promotes collagen production. Collagen locks moisture into the skin cells to lessen age-related loss of skin volume. The more collagen in the skin, the fewer lines and creases. Laser treatments effectively smooth wrinkles and even out skin tone on the face, neck, hands, and other places. And because it’s a minimally invasive procedure, the downtime is short. What’s more, the benefits of laser skin resurfacing last a long time.
  1. Chemical Peels
Simply put, a chemical peel is the application of a chemical solution to the skin.There are a few different peels available. A light or “lunchtime” chemical peel is usually done in a series and it’s best for those with fine wrinkling, uneven skin coloring, or rough sun-damaged skin. Only the outermost layer of skin is removed and recovery requires little to no downtime. With a medium chemical peel, both the outermost layer and the upper part of the middle skin layer are removed. This is a good option for those with more moderate wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, or uneven skin coloring that’s more pronounced. A deep chemical peel provides the most dramatic results. In this case, the chemical penetrates all the way down to the lower middle layer of the skin. This is most often recommended for those with moderate lines and wrinkles, extensive sun-damaged skin, deep acne scars, blotchy skin, and actinic keratosis. When done on the face, it’s a one-time treatment that requires pretreatment for up to eight weeks.
  1. Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Microneeding with PRP is a minimally invasive skin treatment. It involves taking a small amount of your blood, then placing it in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from other blood components. The PRP is highly concentrated with growth factors that boost healing and tissue regeneration. A microneedling device is then used to create tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the treatment area. These micro-injuries trigger your skin’s natural healing response, stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin, which are vital for youthful skin. Once that’s complete, the PRP is applied to the skin. The microchannels created by the microneedling allow the PRP to penetrate deeply into the skin, enhancing the healing process and maximizing the benefits of the treatment. An Ounce of Prevention While the above treatments can improve the appearance of skin that’s suffered sun damage, preventing further exposure to UV rays is crucial in maintaining your skin’s health. Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 35 SPF is recommended. This includes on cloudy days. Even with the daily application of sunscreen, you should stay in the shade as much as possible and wear protective clothing such as certain fabrics and wide rimmed hats. Adopting such preventive measures as part of your skincare routine is easier than you think. Could You Benefit from a Sun Damage Treatment? If it were possible to reverse sun damage, that would be great. But since that isn’t an option, you can take the above-mentioned measures to prevent further damage. In the meantime, if you’re bothered by the visible effects of sun damage you currently have, don’t let it damage your confidence too. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our skincare specialists will meet with you to determine which treatment is the most appropriate.

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Star Plastic Surgery
44050 West Twelve Mile Rd. Novi, MI 48377
(248) 735-3800

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