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Sun Damage Prevention and Treatment Hints

174247392Sun damage may be hard to believe possible since  the sun is located about 93 million miles away from us. Still, the sun  has such a significant  impact on our daily lives. The sun supports all life on Planet Earth, and yet its rays can cause sun damaged skin. Exposure to the sun can give us what appears to be a healthy tan, a painful sunburn, or in some cases, signs of aging and skin cancer. Over time, the result is sun damage in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, skin folds, skin discoloration, age spots and damage to the eyes.  Before  and after sun damage, a key component to limiting sun damage may be assisted  by Medical Grade Skincare  or Facial Anti-Aging Treatments. If you already have sun damaged eyes, signified by little yellow or brown spot and blood shot eyes, you’ll want to check out how you can bring your bright eyes back with I-Brite®

The good news is that today we are better educated about the effects on ultraviolet or UV rays on our bodies. Sunscreen, sunblock, and protective clothing and head wear may protect us from the harmful effects of prolonged solar exposure.

Don’t Get Burned!

While there are many commercially available sunscreen products available in the marketplace, consumers are increasingly turning away from the more popular synthetic-based sunscreens and switching to medical grade sunscreen or organic, environmentally friendly products SPF 15 or greater. Medical grade sunscreens offer advanced active ingredients, do not contain perfuming scents and skin irritants,  don’t leave you with the greased up look, and require less applications. Organic products may not use titanium dioxide, chemical ultraviolet-ray absorbers and other synthetic preservatives that can be counter-productive to one’s skin. Instead, organic products may be biodegradable and water-resistant, without skin irritants. Pre-teens and teens these days may be attracted to eco-friendly skin care products sold individually and in kits with  gel cleansers, toner and moisturizers that are oil-free and all natural. It’s a refreshing development compared to years of make-up for young girls which was all about glitter and less-natural ingredients.It’s never too early to begin a good skin-care regimen.

Age-Defying Products
Want to look 10 or more years younger? First, don’t overexpose yourself to the sun. Second, choose make-up and skin care products that promote healthy skin, such as those found at dermatology and plastic surgery offices. Pay attention to the ingredients. You’ll want to go with an SPF of 15, 30 or above, depending on how much protection you need. Look for nutrient-rich creams and lotions that include the B-vitamin niacinamide, which increases hydration for those susceptible to dry, sensitive skin; retinol and vitamin C, which promote radiance and reduce discoloration; and glycerin and vitamin E, which help skin to feel soft all day long. In fact, it’s usually wise to start with Medical Grade Skincare products found at some dermatology and plastic surgery practices. These products are designed to preserve youthfulness for many years to come and may not be any more expensive that drug store or department store options. After all, you may only need one or two new products to make a world of difference in your skin.

Lip Balm
One often-overlooked item in your sun-protection arsenal is lip balm. It isn’t really about the flavor or the fragrance. Find a balm is more organic or natural, or which has Pro-Xylane, which increases the production of collagen and the skin’s natural moistness.

Tanning Beds: Pro and Con

Years ago, many people assume that tanning on a personal tanning bed or going to a tanning salon was safer than stretching out at the beach for a tan. The concentrated amounts of ultraviolet exposure can be dangerous to the skin and eyes. Without appropriate disinfecting of the tanning beds, germs can transferred readily. Pregnant women should never use a tanning bed since the excessive heat can be harmful to their unborn child. Protective eye wear should always be worn while on a tanning bed, in addition to using tanning and sunscreen lotions to avoid sun damaged eyes that may need treatment  to bring back out your bright eyes, such as  I-Brite®.

I-Brite®
I-Brite®

Treating Sun Damage Proactively

Most of us know the pain of a bad sunburn. Perhaps as you’ve grown older, you’ve noticed that your skin shows the effects of too much sun. The good news is that there are medical innovations that can heal and restore sun-damaged skin.

Several different types of minimally invasive light-source treatments may be used to treat sun damage. These technologies work by targeting affected skin surfaces selectively in varying wavelengths, pulse durations and laser types. The choice of the appropriate laser therapy depends upon a variety of factors, including the extent of sun damage. Some lasers are more invasive and penetrate through the top layers of skin. Other lasers do not penetrate deep layers under the skin.

Even with laser resurfacing, wrinkles that are the result of constant muscle movement (e.g., frown lines and crow’s feet) may be hard to treat. This is when Injectables and Facial Fillers may come to the rescue.  Botox® and Dysport® are tailored for wrinkles caused by facial movement, known as “dynamic wrinkles.” Facial fillers like Restylane®, Juvederm® and more fill in skin folds that may be caused by sun damage.

Recovery time is a factor in laser treatment, but the results can be well worth the investment in the end. Side effects may include skin sensitivity, redness, swelling and skin peeling. People may require two to seven or more days off work during the recovery period, depending upon the type of laser used in treatment. Repeat treatments may be necessary to achieve a fully satisfactory outcome. Yet, laser therapy may offer a dramatic improvement for the refinement of sun damaged skin.

The Final Analysis

Baby Boomers now know how important it is to protect their skin whenever they go outdoors.  Daily use of a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher is essential. If you’re going to be in the sun for longer than a few minutes, wearing a hat will help prevent further damage. We hope that all generations now know to.

While as we grow old we will never have the skin we had as teenagers, medical science can help restore some of our radiance that the sun has stolen at a reasonable cost. We can be good friends with the Sun again as we “catch some rays” with appropriate education, protection and treatment as needed, when recommended by a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or other medical professional.

 

It is important to recognize that all information contained on this website cannot be considered to be specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. As always, you should consult with a physician regarding any medical condition. Your Health Access disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.