Sun damage or photo aging results from accumulated exposure to UV radiation, which accelerates the aging process. Examples include:

• Wrinkles
• Dark spots
• Droopy skin
• Yellowish tint to the skin
• Broken blood vessels
• Rough/thick skin (referred to as “leathery”)
• Skin cancers

Dark Spots and Stains

Your pigmentation is the color of your skin and is produced by melanin, a natural pigment that also determines eye and hair color. However, if too much melanin is produced in an area, the result is a dark spot or stain (also known as hyper-pigmentation.) There are many forms of hyper-pigmentation which include Melasma, Solar Lentigo (“age” spots or “liver” spots), Traumatic Discoloration, and Hormonal Discoloration. Treatments range from topical medication to peels, laser treatments or a combination of these, and will be determined at your consultation.

Sagging and Droopy Skin

While the skin has a natural ability to stretch and recoil as your body constantly moves, it does not stay firm and young forever. Over time, it stops producing collagen, loses elasticity, and suffers from photoaging. Other contributors also include sudden or extensive weight loss and bone loss.

SUN PROTECTION GUIDELINES

All sunscreens are not alike and you should know:

• None are waterproof
• Ratings over 50 are misleading
• To be effective, it must block both the burning rays of the sun (the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays), and the tanning/aging rays of the sun (the ultraviolet A (UVA) rays)
• None last more than two hours and therefore need reapplication often
• If swimming in the ocean or bodies of water that flow into it, use chemical free sunscreen for protection of our coral reefs

Here is how to protect yourself from photoaging and the cancer producing ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun:

• Wear sunscreens * which meet the criteria listed below:
• A Sun (burn) Protection Factor (SPF) between 15 and 50
• Contain either a Physical Blocker (Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxide) or a Chemical Blocker (Helioplex or Mexoryl)
• Limit skin exposure by wearing:
• A wide brim hat (not straw that lets light through)
• Sunglasses
• You can also take Heliocare*, a dietary supplement, that has antioxidant effects. Studies have shown taking it reduces the number of pre-cancers and skin cancers a person gets in their lifetime.

* Available for purchase at the Front Desk.

View a list of sunscreens available for purchase at the front desk and the characteristics that distinguish them.

We offer several treatments for reversing and preventing sun-damaged skin such as peels, facial resurfacing, lights, lasers, prescription grade topical treatments or a combination of these. Contact us  today to see which treatment is right for you!