Sun Damage Treatment
It might feel good to spend time in the sunshine, but the sun’s rays can take a toll on your skin.
It might feel good to spend time in the sunshine, but the sun’s rays can take a toll on your skin. In the short-term, that can mean contending with a scorching sunburn. But, there can also be long-term consequences lurking within the skin, even if you don’t experience a burn. The sun prematurely ages the skin. Called photoaging, this can lead to skin cancer.
The damage the sun does to our skin is known by several different names, including photoaging, photodamage, solar damage, or sun damage. It happens when ultraviolet (UV) light hits skin unprotected by sunscreen, causing DNA changes at a cellular level. Because photodamage happens in the deepest layers of the skin—the dermis—it can take years before the damage surfaces and becomes visible.
Unlike normal, chronological aging, which is dictated by age and genetics, photoaging happens when ultraviolet light from the sun and/or tanning beds permanently damages the skin’s structure. To see the difference between chronological aging and photoaging, compare skin on an area of your body that is not exposed to the sun with the skin on your face.
Signs of photodamage begin in the teens to early twenties. Symptoms include the following:
- Wrinkling
- Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines) and freckles
- Loss of skin tone (decreased elasticity)
- Rough, uneven skin texture
- Broken capillaries (spider veins), usually around the nose and chest
- Redness and blotchiness
Is there any way you can turn back the clock?
PicoSure® is the latest technology for skin revitalization and offers faster and better results in fewer treatments than other lasers!
Our pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid USP) from Vivier, offers a great at-home treatment to combat future sun damage.
Vitamin C is known to protect against and reduce the harmful effects of UV radiation from the sun. Although not a sunscreen, Vitamin C will work in synergy with our sunscreens to give maximum protection and help to prevent future damage.
The main factors contributing to skin aging are free radicals and oxidation stress from environmental factors. Vitamin C is known as a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and also helps increase collagen production resulting in smoother wrinkle-free skin.
Vitamin C is known to help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, fade brown spots and age spots. With regular application, you will notice that skin texture is smoother and firmer resulting in a more even skin tone with a youthful glow.
Vivier's patented Vitamin C serums use the proprietary Intra-Dermal System (IDS)† to deliver Vitamin C and other active ingredients into the layers of the skin where they are needed most. Our Vitamin C Serums offer the best penetration and absorption so you get the most from your serum.
Pre-treatment/Post treatment Instructions - PicoSure
Precautions to take before your light-based treatment:
- No sun exposure, tanning beds and sunless tanning cream for 4 weeks prior to treatment. Sun exposure decreases the effectiveness of the laser treatment and can increase the chance of Post treatment complications.
- Use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply to the treated area every 2 hours when exposed to the sun and it is recommended to make this a part of your skin care routine.
- Remove all makeup, creams or oils prior to treatment.
- Be sure to inform your care provider if you have ever had cosmetic tattoos or cosmetic pigmentation or permanent makeup applied near the area of treatment.
Instructions following your laser treatment:
- Cleanse the treated area at least daily with water and mild soap, and then pat the area dry.
- Do not rub or scratch the treated area.
- If crusting/scabbing occurs, do not shave or pick the area. Apply Aquaphor ointment (tattoo) or other moisturizer (face) to the area 2 - 3 times per day. Keep the area moist, and let the crusting/scabbing resolve on its own.
- If you are prone to breakouts or have oily skin, consider waiting 24 hours before applying any topical products.
- Discomfort may be relieved by cold gel packs and/or an over the counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.
- Avoid contact sports or any other activity that could cause injury to the treated area.
- Avoid swimming, soaking or using the hot tub/whirlpool until the skin heals.
- Contact your physician if there is any indication of infection (redness/tenderness or pus).
