Can You Repair Sun Damaged Skin?
If you spent too much time in the sun when you were younger, you may be paying for it now with skin that looks rough and weathered with fine lines, wrinkles, and areas of increased pigmentation. Not only can sun damaged skin look rough, it may lack firmness due to decreased collagen production. Even more concerning is the fact that skin damaged by the sun’s rays is more susceptible to skin cancer including the most serious form, malignant melanoma. Is there any way to repair sun damaged skin?
Probably the most effective treatment option for repair of sun damaged skin is the use of topical retinoids. Creams containing retinoids have been shown to be effective for treating the signs of sun damage including fine lines and wrinkling, rough skin texture, and areas of increased pigmentation. It may even have some effect on skin laxity due to its ability to stimulate new collagen production, the basic support structure for the skin. Your Facelift Michigan Clinic of Choice will provide services as per the requirements of the clients. If there is excessive fat on the face, then there can be the need of the surgery.
While you can buy products at your local drugstore that contain small quantities of retinoids, these aren’t as effective as the prescription formulations which contain higher concentrations of the active ingredients. Prescription retinoids can cause skin irritation in some people especially when you first start to use them, but their ability to repair sun damaged skin has been demonstrated in numerous studies. Unfortunately, to maintain results, retinoids must be used indefinitely which can get expensive. You also have to use them for several months before you’ll start to see results.
On a cautionary note, retinoids make the skin more photosensitive meaning it’s important to wear sunscreen on any areas where you apply them. Although there are moisturizers that contain vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids that may cause some improvement in skin texture, if your skin is heavily damaged by the sun, it’s unlikely you’ll see significant improvement using these moisturizers alone.
If your skin is severely sun damaged, retinoids are still a good option, but you may not get the degree of improvement you’re looking for. If you fall into this category, you may want to see a dermatologist and explore the possibility of doing a series of skin peels or laser resurfacing on your damaged skin. These procedures can significantly improve sun damaged skin while helping to boost collagen production for firmer looking skin. These procedures are a more expensive option for repair of sun damaged skin but may be worth it.
Whichever option you choose to repair sun damaged skin, it’s important that you invest in a good sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVA B light protection to avoid further damage. This is particularly true if you plan on using retinoids to repair sun damaged skin. It’s also important to check your skin regularly for any suspicious skin lesions that could be precancerous.