Staying Safe in the Sun
We all love the sun on our face. Unfortunately, as we all know, the sun can cause significant damage to our skin. Sunscreen products are a must. The minimum level should be a rating SPF of 15 or higher. If you use a sunscreen higher than 35, you really are not getting much more protection. Sunscreens contain avobenzone, titanium oxide or zinc oxide. A wide brim hat will also protect you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you are swimming, you need to re-apply sunscreen as many products will wash off from water.
Many of us have been sun worshipers in our youth and have sustained sun damage on our face. This can increase basal cell and squamous cell cancers occurring. Your doctor should always evaluate suspicious skin lesions. The most dangerous skin cancer is melanoma, which can be lethal if not removed in the early stages of growth.
More common skin damage involves hyperpigmentation like brown spots, freckling, melasma and rosacea. Skin wrinkling can also result from over exposure to the sun and tanning beds.
Today, innovative technology can be utilized to evaluate and treat common skin problems caused by sun damage. The Visia Skin analysis is the first step in evaluating your skin. The amount of wrinkles, pore size, brown and red spots can be easily performed. It is like getting your picture taken.
There are many modalities for treating sun-damaged skin. Laser fractional re-surfacing is the newest technique, which can treat, sun damaged skin and wrinkles. Intense pulse light (IPL) is excellent for brown spots. Medical chemical peels are also effective in lifting up hyperpigmentation. Microderm abrasion also is effective as an external skin treatment. These four modalities can be used together, often called packages, to bring about the best results. These medical spa treatments are only available in physician supervised med spas.
Downtime is minimal. The laser fractional re-surfacing is the most intense modality and is usually performed on Friday so patients can be back to work on Monday. Skin wrinkles are markedly reduced. When cosmetic Botox is used in combination with laser fractional resurfacing, the reduction in skin wrinkles is fantastic.
By Dr. Gregory Landis
Medical Director of North44 Medspa
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Chemical Peels may be dangerous specially if you use those high concentrations of Glycolic Acid.~*~
chemical peels are also damaging if not properly administered”~;