How To Minimize Sun Damage
Day in and day out we are forced to think about so many things! How will we wear our hair? Which outfit will match best with our shoes? How do I cover this zit? Is it ok to wear yoga pants to work today?!
All of these questions are very legitimate and you probably have millions more every day. Here at Bella Luce in Oklahoma City we want to help you answer both the questions you have and even those you haven’t thought to ask, like…
“What am I doing today to reverse Sun Damage?”
How Does Sun Damage Occur
During the summer months our face, neck, and hands are exposed to the sun for hours at a time. While it feels good to get some Vitamin D, too much could lead to damage from the sun’s ultraviolet light, also known as UV light. This can lead to sunburn, wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, freckles, and can add years to your age.
In fact, an estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun. Even if you use broad spectrum sunscreens you are still subject to aging skin due to sun damage.
Unfortunately, if you go outside at all, sun damage is a part of your life, and if you don’t do something to combat it today, you could pay dearly for it later. The good news is that treatments exist that can drastically reduce the negative effects of sun damage to your skin!
Without a doubt the majority of people suffer from the sun’s harmful rays in one way or another. While many people claim to have the answers to preventing sun damage most only minimize its effects with sunscreen and sun shirts or reduce the pain afterwards with aloe and cooling gels.
However, too often we aren’t asking the question that truly is haunting us all. So many of us already have sun damage, and once these negative effects are realized, you may begin asking the question, how do I reverse what’s already happened? Is it possible?
The answer is YES it is possible. Bella Luce has the answers to help reverse the appearance of sun damage to your skin!
How to get rid of sun spots
One of the most effective ways Bella Luce treats sun damaged skin is using a laser treatment called Limelight IPL, also known as a photofacial treatment, to help minimize signs of aging.
An IPL (Intense Pulse Light) is a light-based therapy used to help restore and revitalize your skin to bring out an even skin tone, brighten its appearance, and reduce large pores resulting in younger looking skin.
The light from this laser penetrates the subsurface layers of your skin and is absorbed by the pigmentation. The heat from the light breaks up lesions and the body begins its natural healing process. As an added benefit, the heat can help stimulate collagen and can also lessen the appearance of visible telangiectasia veins (tiny blood vessels).
After your treatment you may notice dark spots and freckles on your face becoming deeper in color. This can happen over the next several days, and rest assured this means it is working! Freckles and dark spots that you didn’t even know existed will begin to appear on the surface and disappear from your face over the next several days leaving a smoother and brighter complexion.
This treatment requires no downtime and usually takes approximately 30 minutes, making it the perfect lunch hour treatment! Sun damage can occur most anywhere on our skin as long it is exposed to sunlight. The most commonly requested areas to treat are the face, hands, neck, and décolleté.
Results
Within one to three weeks, your darkened spots will flake off and fade and you’ll notice your skin complexion will improve. Most people will see results after their first treatment, however, since sun damage is a cumulative process and occurs all year long, IPL results are not permanent. Therefore, three to four sessions are advised throughout the year to help minimize damage, signs of aging, and to maintain a youthful appearance.
After an IPL you are advised to minimize your exposure to sunlight for about 48 hours due to your skin’s sensitivity. This makes the winter months the PERFECT time to get this treatment!
Be Proactive
While Bella Luce can help minimize and even rid sun damage on your skin it is best practice to do what you can to reduce exposure. This will not only help with signs of aging but it will also help avoid skin cancers such as actinic keratosis.
Your skin care routine is also an important element for healthy, younger looking skin and sun protection should always be a part of this. While sunscreen won’t protect you 100% from sun damage, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it will help minimize the appearance of aging skin by approximately 24%. Therefore it is advisable to ALWAYS wear sunscreen for age prevention.
In fact, sunscreen should be a part of your daily route to help minimize further sun damage and aging to your skin. If you don’t have a sunscreen moisturizer or if you don’t like the one you have, Bella Luce can help you with that as well! We have a vast assortment of creams and lotions that are tailored to your skin type and color. Protecting your skin is an investment worth making, and you will love the way your skin feels with a great moisturizer recommended by our highly trained Bella Luce Med Spa staff.
Additionally, if you know you are going to be in the sun for prolonged periods of time, wearing a hat to shield your face and neck area from the sun is also advisable. This seems so simple, but often we forget we are in the sun until it’s too late, especially during the cold months. So keeping hats and other headgear in your car or purse for times you are caught off guard can be very smart. Also shirts with hoods are can be used to block the sun’s harmful rays. Get resourceful AND fashionable!
With sun damage out of the way you can now focus on more important questions, like “Is ice cream after 9 pm a good idea or bad idea?” “Did we ever figure out who let the dogs out” “Is there any way to make coffee part of a nutritional diet” “what happened to the kid from Home Alone” and the constant question STILL on everyone’s mind “Can I wear yoga pants to work?” we mention it twice because, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to wear yoga pants every single day?!
Schedule your IPL today and be on the front end of your skin care. If you have any other questions or concerns about IPL, sun damage, or feeling more beautiful in your own skin, please feel free to schedule a free consultation with Bella Luce Med Spa (405) 486-7450. We would absolutely love to visit with you as soon as possible!