You, Your Skin, and the Sun: Here's What You Should Know

Sun damage can take many forms, from hyperpigmentation to wrinkles. While time, genetics, and stress all factor into how you age, sun exposure is arguably the most influential. Without proper protection, your skin can absorb UV rays, speeding up the aging process and putting you at risk for cancer. 

At New Image Medical Spa in Fremont, California, Dr. Surinder Sandhu offers a variety of treatments to help address various skin conditions, including the effects of the sun on your skin. Here’s what you need to know about photoaging and how Dr. Sandhu can help.

Photoaging 101

There are two primary types of aging: chronological aging, caused by time, and photoaging, caused by UV light. 

Your skin absorbs UV rays whenever you’re exposed to the sun, even while walking to the mailbox, sitting by a window, or driving in your car. Spending time outside, sunbathing, and using tanning beds only increases how much ultraviolet light you absorb.

While the damage on any given day is negligible on its own, years of sun damage quickly add up. UV light not only damages the structure of your skin, but also how quickly and effectively your skin cells replace themselves. This can lead to a number of skin conditions, including: 

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation, such as freckles and sunspots
• Rough, dry, or uneven skin texture
• Loss of elasticity and volume 
• Broken capillaries, including spider veins and rosacea
• Scaly patches, called solar keratoses

Preventing sun damage

Perhaps the most effective way to avoid sun damage is to wear sunscreen. Most people only remember sunscreen during the summer, and only apply it if they plan on spending time outside. However, if you really want to prevent photoaging, you have to be thorough and think ahead.

Most sun damage accumulates during your everyday life, so a daily-wear sunscreen should be your first investment. Many moisturizers and foundations now include sunscreen in the formula, but make sure that you use something with at least 30 SPF. 

The surface of your skin shouldn’t be your only concern. Repetitive expressions like squinting inevitably lead to the formation of dynamic wrinkles, so sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats are great for preventing crow’s feet. 

Reversing sun damage

Once the damage has been done, there’s no turning back time. However, you do have options to help you reverse the effects. Plenty of skin treatments can alleviate sun damage and signs of aging, such as: 

• Microneedling, a process that creates tiny micro-injuries to stimulate the skin 
• PRP therapy, which uses your own blood to boost healing and regeneration
• Chemical peels, which strip away old skin to freshen your complexion 
• Picosure, an intense-pulsed light (IPL) treatment that zaps away extra pigmentation 
• Botox and fillers, injectables that can freeze or fill wrinkles 
• Thread lifts, which tighten the skin without surgery for a smooth, young look 

Your photoaged skin might benefit from one or more of these treatments. To learn more and discuss your options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sandhu and her team at New Image Medical Spa. You can get in touch by calling 510-269-2324 or requesting an appointment online.