Skin Treatments to Relieve Sun Damage

Posted on August 30, 2015

Research has shown that more than 90 percent of the visible markers of aging are related to skin damage from the sun. As little as a few minutes a day in the sun without protection can cause noticeable signs of aging — such as uneven pigmentation, brown spots and wrinkles — on the face. A cosmetic skin treatment, like those offered by the trained surgeons at Aqua Plastic Surgery, can take years off of your face, for skin that is not only smoother and brighter, but healthier.

If you are seeing the unsightly signs of years of sun damage starting to surface, consider one of the following non-surgical treatments for a younger-looking, rejuvenated face.

Dermabrasion or Microdermabrasion

Depending on the amount of sun damage your skin has undergone, you may wish to consider either a dermabrasion or a microdermabrasion procedure, both of which remove the damaged upper layer of skin. The main difference between the two skin treatments is that microdermabrasion removes a thin layer from the surface of the skin, whereas dermabrasion removes a deeper layer of skin, reaching down into the skin’s collagen level.

Microdermabrasion lightly exfoliates the skin using tiny microcrystals, and patients typically see the brightening effect on their skin after one treatment. Dermabrasion involves the use of a machine-driven wire brush or rotating wheel that safely and effectively scrapes the skin to remove the dead skin cells. Both treatments are effective treatments for sun damage, wrinkles and other skin concerns, as they remove old, damaged skin cells and promote the growth of healthy, new skin cells in their place.

Laser Treatments

Laser skin resurfacing uses pulsating beams of focused laser light that are used to vaporize old, damaged skin cells in the topmost layer of the skin. The body will then respond by producing new, healthy skin cells in its place for a smoother, refreshed complexion. Among our laser treatment options, we offer Fraxel laser treatment, which uses a microscopic laser to target problem areas of the skin with even more precision and less downtime than other laser treatments. Safe for all skin colors and skin types, laser treatments produce immediate results that can last several months or more.

Chemical Peels and Skin Care Products

One of the least invasive ways to improve the texture of your skin is with a chemical peel. We offer our patients the Vitalize Peel® by SkinMedica, which uses a blend of hydroxy acids, retinoic acid and other effective ingredients to remove the dead top layer of skin and promote the growth of new skin cells for a fresh glow with no downtime In fact, the Vitalize Peel is  often called a “lunchtime treatment” because you can be treated on your lunch break and return to the office right afterwards!

Skin care products are also a less invasive, though effective remedy for the drying, cracking effects of sun damage on the face and body. Aqua Plastic Surgery offers Obagi® skin care products, made from natural botanical ingredients that stimulate the production of elastin and collagen in the skin. To find out more about this product line or the in-office treatments mentioned, call our office at (561) 776-2830.