What You Can Do About the Damaging Effect the Sun Has On Your Skin

California is a beautiful state because of its weather. The state is known for having many days of sunshine throughout the year, but coming into contact with the sun so frequently can ultimately come with a cost. You can take precautions to avoid sun damage, such as wearing sunscreen, wearing certain clothing and staying in the shade when you can. But over time, it is still possible for the sun’s rays to take a toll on your skin, resulting in cosmetic concerns such as sunspots and age spots. Thankfully, there are treatments you can undergo that will help correct cosmetic flaws caused by the sun.

Why Does the Sun Negatively Impact Our Skin?

Sunlight is vital for your overall well-being. Your skin utilizes sunlight to produce Vitamin D, an essential nutrient that keeps your bones, teeth and muscles healthy. However, the sun can also have a damaging effect on the skin if exposed to it too often and without the proper protection. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, a type of electromagnetic radiation, can cause major damage. The outer layers of your skin consist of cells that contain melanin, which is in place to protect your skin from the sun. However, these cells that consist of melanin can potentially produce too much, causing the skin to appear aged.Who doesn’t want darker, more tan skin? Having skin with these shades evokes a more youthful image. Attaining a darker shade requires a greater output of melanin from your skin. When a tan occurs, it remains for a short while and, eventually, your body naturally sloughs off the tan skin, replacing it with new skin cells that are reflective of your natural skin tone. But in some cases, your skin can produce too much melanin, causing dark clumps to form across your skin. Typically, these dark spots, known as sunspots or age spots, form where sun exposure is persistent, including your face, shoulders, neck, hands, chest and back.While tan skin can make you look more youthful in the short term, in the long run, you can potentially be aging your skin prematurely by risking the formation of sunspots.

What Cosmetic Concerns Does the Sun Cause?

In addition to causing the formation of sunspots, cosmetic concerns the sun’s harmful UV rays can result in include:

• Skin discoloration
• Wrinkles
• Rosacea
• Aged image
• Collagen breakdown

The structural integrity of your skin relies heavily on its production of collagen and elastin, which help keep it smooth and tight. Your production of these vital proteins gradually declines as you age. Couple this with the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, your skin becomes prone to developing significant cosmetic concerns.

What Treatments Combat These Signs of Age Caused By the Sun?

If you struggle with these cosmetic concerns, there is no need to worry any longer. A number of treatments exist for many different skin types that can help alleviate these concerns.Treatments that are perfect for treatings signs of age caused by the sun include:

IPL Photofacials

An intense-pulsed light (IPL) photofacial is a treatment that utilizes the power of light energy to shatter unwanted melanin deposits and melanin-producing cells in the skin to create a brighter, more even complexion. During the treatment, the light energy penetrates the deeper layers of skin and becomes absorbed by the melanin in the skin without damaging the surface skin layers. After an IPL photofacial, the unwanted sunspot becomes darker but gradually flakes away, giving way to a more even skin tone. The treatment typically lasts for 20 to 30 minutes.IPL photofacials are suitable for men and women of all ages. However, the treatment should not be performed on patients with darker skin tones because it targets melanin specifically.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are an excellent treatment that can rid your skin of sun damage by stimulating your skin’s natural healing abilities. The treatment essentially involves applying an acidic solution to your skin to cause dry and dead cells to peel and flake off, speed cell turnover and boost collagen production, revealing a healthier complexion. A chemical peel lasts for approximately 30 minutes.Chemical peels come in various acidic solutions, meaning the treatment is appropriate even for sensitive skin types. However, more severe sun damage may not be suitable for treatment.

HydraFacial

HydraFacial is a multi-step treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts impurities, hydrates and infuses serums into the skin. During the hydradermabrasion treatment, a handheld device is used to suction dead skin cells and delivers a mild peel. When the skin is fully cleansed and impurities are removed, anti-aging ingredients, such as antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, are infused. In addition to treating sunspots, a HydraFacial can effectively treat lines and wrinkles, among other cosmetic concerns. A single treatment lasts for around 45 minutes.Because of the gentle nature of a HydraFacial, the treatment is suitable for men and women of any skin tone and type.

Where Can I Undergo Treatments for Sun-Damaged Skin?

If you are a California resident, you are probably well aware of how great the weather is. But you may be one of many people who have developed sunspots because of the California sun. While it may feel like you need to settle with sun-damaged skin, this is not the case. There are a number of treatments available that can treat the concern at Aesthetic Envy med spa in Sacramento, CA. We offer all of the treatments mentioned above and offer skincare products designed specifically to restore your skin from sunspots.If you struggle with sun-damaged skin and are interested in learning more about the treatments and skin care products offered at Aesthetic Envy, please contact us at 916-333-4906 or visit our contact page.