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Sunshine: Friend or Foe

Sunshine often gets bad Skin Health press, but we do need some sunshine. Sunshine exposure has been positively linked with proper endocrine system function and is recognized as an integral precursor to Vitamin D production. However, too much sun destroys skin’s internal structures, negatively impacts vision and increases the risk of skin cancer. Sunlight and ultraviolet light can cause dermal damage referred to as Photo-Ageing.

Skin’s Inbuilt Protections

Our skin has built in protections to shield against the spectrum of light but these systems can become overburdened – this is when our skin begins to suffer. Over exposure of UVA and UVB rays penetrating the dermis and epidermis can cause serious alterations on a cellular level. This damage releases free radicals that can lead to unwanted and harmful DNA changes and irregularities deep within the skin. While we can’t stop chronological ageing we can takes steps to prevent photo-ageing.

Sun Damage on Skin

The majority of the premature ageing showcased on skin is a result of excess light exposure.

UV rays break down dermal structures such as Collagen; an important protein keeping skin strong and firm. Over exposure to the sun leads to the following which may be especially noticeable on delicate facial skin:
• Lines and Fine Lines
• Deep wrinkles
• Sagging & loss of elasticity
• Uneven pigmentation
• Dull skin
• Areas of reddened skin from broken capillaries
• Dark Spots & Pre-cancerous spots
• Cellular Senescence

 

Prevention

Avoiding over-exposure to begin with is an effective means of mitigating photo-ageing. Cover and protect skin with a high-quality topical sun protection over SPF 30 or sunscreen-rated clothing. Long sleeves, sun hats, seeking shade and avoiding peak exposure hours of the day are all helpful.

Rethink Exposure

Many people think of a ‘sunburn’ as the indicator of over-exposed skin. However, many skin types do not reflect visible sun damage as a sunburn. One should keep in mind that sun damage can occur in as few as fifteen to twenty minutes. Just because you escaped without a sunburn does not mean that your skin didn’t take a knock from the sun.

Act Immediately

Take action against known over-exposure immediately. Cool down overheated burnt skin as quickly as possible with a cool shower. Work to restore moisture intensively in the 48 hours following a bad burn. Nourish damaged skin to slow down and minimize the long-term impact following over-exposure. Take care to minimize and eliminate repeat occurrences in future.

 

The Treatment of Photo-ageing

Sun damage is a very common complaint and one of the most often treated aesthetic skin concerns. Thankfully, the fields of Aesthetic Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine are able to provide multiple treatments to reverse sun damage on the dermis. Treatment choices will be influenced by the extent of sun damage showcased on the dermis, skin type, budget, and willingness or ability to experience downtime.

Dr van der Mescht provides a variety of non-surgical aesthetic treatments in her Krugersdorp Aesthetic Clinic. Here are some of the most effective treatments that target photo-ageing, don’t demand an exorbitant budget, and require an absolute minimum of downtime.

 

PRP Therapy

In this non-surgical treatment, an individual’s own blood is drawn and then put into a centrifuge for processing. The separated blood platelets are then either re-injected or topically applied. PRP Therapy can be an excellent choice for those who are keen on an all-natural approach with minimal risk. Employing PRP to areas of severely sun damaged skin helps to activate the body’s own stem cells to repair and regenerate skin from within. This results in an improvement in skin texture and tone.

 

PRP combined with Micro-needling:

Micro-needling relies on extremely small gauge needles to activate The Healing Cascade. The combination of PRP with micro-needling has been shown to raise the body’s internal production of Collagen. It also assists in speeding recovery.

 

Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels can be specifically formulated based on an individual’s needs and skin type. A mild to moderate Chemical Peel is often appropriate to address hyper-pigmentation or uneven pigmentation caused or accelerated by sun exposure. Chemical Peels stimulate cellular turnover to aid in dermal resurfacing. A Chemical Peel can also eliminate fine lines and wrinkles restore a glowing, smooth, and tightened skin surface. Click here for pre- & post- Chemcial Peel Tips.

 

Botulin Toxin

Generally, thought of as a wrinkle stopper, Botulin Toxin is not always quickly associated with the treatment of sun damage. However, BT is a great option for stopping the deepening of crevices and wrinkles that have formed due to sun exposure.

Employing HA Dermal Fillers to fill pronounced wrinkles and using Botulin Toxin to arrest wrinkle development can be effective in targeting existing signs of photo-ageing. One can even undergo a non-surgical Facelift.

 

Professional Homecare

A professionally recommended homecare regime will work to treat existing sun damage and prevent future damage from occurring. Use the correct homecare to deliver powerful antioxidants and achieve optimal moisture levels within skin layers. Ongoing homecare is a vital part of any multifaceted treatment strategy.

 

Dr van der Mescht

Dr van der Mescht is well-equipped with the expertise and experience to formulate a personalized approach to erasing unwanted signs of sun damage. She is more than qualified and capable of achieving your aesthetic goals; even if it is as simply to remove any troublesome or worrying skin moles or spots that may be at high risk for developing into skin cancer.

Contact Dr van der Mescht today for an in-depth Visa™ Skin Assessment and develop a personal plan to achieving skin health and wellness.

011 954 0070

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