Toes in the sand, sun on your face, the smell of sunscreen and salt water in the air…what is more refreshing than a hot summer day soaking up all that Vitamin D? Yes, a hot summer day can feel so refreshing, but the sun can do a number of damaging things to your skin. Sun exposure is the number one cause of premature skin aging, and can leave your skin looking aged, leathery and spotted. Luckily, Plastic Surgery Center of Hampton Roads offers cosmetic services that can help improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, leaving your skin bright and glowing like the sun!
Effects of the Sun on your Skin
Everyone loves entering wintertime with a nice summer tan, but even a short amount of sun exposure a day can have a lasting impact on your skin (especially if you don’t wear sunscreen!). Even your cute summer freckles can indicate sun damage. Here are a few signs your skin might be ready for rejuvenating cosmetic services:
- Uneven pigmentation or redness
- White spots
- Wrinkling
- Rough skin texture
- Age spots, liver spots, and freckles
Cosmetic Services that Reverse the Effects of Sun Damage
Broadband Light Treatment
Broadband light (BBL) laser therapy, also known as a photofacial, is used to enhance and brighten your complexion by treating skin concerns and stimulating your body’s production of collagen. It uses a broad spectrum of light that we can filter to treat different conditions and treat a larger skin area than a laser. This treatment option is used to:
- Treat rosacea, spider veins and acne
- Minimize the appearance of sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles
- Even out skin tone and texture
- Enhance skin’s firmness, elasticity and pigmentation
- Boost your body’s self-healing ability to regrow healthy skin.
A BBL treatment takes about 15 minutes and can be performed on all body areas, such as the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. You can expect to see noticeable changes to your skin within a few days, and blemishes and blood vessels will usually clear up within a few weeks.
Skin Resurfacing
There are two types of skin resurfacing treatment options used to reduce wrinkles, scars and blemishes, and correct your skin’s tone and texture:
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing, also known as a laser peel, laser vaporization and lasabrasion, is used to reduce facial wrinkles, scars and blemishes and may help your skin look younger and healthier. By removing skin layer by layer with precision, new skin cells form giving the skin a tighter, younger looking surface. The procedure can be done alone or along with other cosmetic surgeries on the face.
Some people who have laser resurfacing may see an immediate difference in the treated skin. That will continue to improve for up to a year. While the effects of laser resurfacing can last for many years, the normal aging process means that wrinkles and expression lines will reoccur. You may repeat laser resurfacing as necessary.
Photorejuvenation
Photorejuvenation, also called Photofacial, Fotofacial, or IPL, is a procedure that can improve the color and texture of skin without surgery. This minimally-invasive skin procedure treats signs of aging, splotchy skin due to a health condition, as well as the visible damage caused by sun exposure. Photorejuvenation can be used on all parts of the body including the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, legs and back.
Photorejuvenation is one of the most popular treatments due to its low downtime and effective results. Most patients require 3-5 treatments one month apart to achieve optimal results. The length of time photorejuvenation results last will depend largely on the types of blemishes, as well as the size of the area, sun exposure, age, and genetics.
Come See Us!
A complimentary skin analysis is an essential part of ensuring your skin gets the care it needs. During your consultation, we will go over your health history, determine your skin type, assess any skin conditions, and discuss any concerns you may have. Schedule a complimentary consultation today! Call 757-873-3500.
