Sun-damaged Skin in Fairfax, VA
Most people enjoy spending time in the sun, but the sun’s rays are actually what cause most of the signs of aging in your skin. Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun damages the protein elastin within your skin. Elastin gives skin its elastic quality, so when elastin is destroyed, your skin becomes looser, allowing wrinkles and sagging areas to develop over time.UV rays also stimulate the production of melanin, a pigment that helps protect the deeper layers of skin from sun damage. Melanin is responsible for the sunkissed look of a suntan, but long-term exposure to UV light can cause the overproduction of melanin, resulting in hyperpigmentation in some areas. And UV exposure is also a cause of melanoma and other skin cancers.
What are the different types of sun damage?
Long-lasting types of non-cancerous sun damage include:
- Uneven pigmentation
- Freckles
- Age spots
- Melasma (uneven patches of darker pigmentation)
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Sagging skin
When exposure to the sun causes a change in your skin, it’s technically a form of sun damage. This includes suntans and sunburns. These conditions are temporary, but they require a healing response from your body to make them go away.
What treatments can help sun-damaged skin?
The highly trained professionals at Contours LaserSpa offer state-of-the-art treatments to reduce the appearance of sun damage. The team has an array of advanced laser tools available to address most non-cancerous signs of sun damage. The most common treatments recommended by the team include:
Intense pulsed light therapy
Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses short bursts of broad-spectrum light to target the deep layers of your skin and break up clusters of excess pigmentation. The light damages the cellular structure of the pigment, and your body’s natural immune process clears the destroyed cells away over time, leaving you with a more evenly toned complexion.
Laser skin rejuvenation
Laser sun spot removal uses a specific wavelength of light energy to break up the pigment. It also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to reduce skin sag, and improve wrinkles and fine lines. Laser sun spot removal treatments also enhance your skin’s circulation, resulting in a healthier, radiant complexion.
How can I prevent further sun damage?
You can reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer through proper skin care—always wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen and limiting your sun exposure.
To learn more about sun spot treatment or for additional tips on skin care, call Contours LaserSpa or book online today.