Facials to Reduce Sun Damage

While we need the sun- it’s plays a crucial part in our bodies functions through vitamin D absorption, it helps our mood and our sense of well being- over time  the signs of sun damage to our skin begin to show.

Photo-damage that start to show up are things like dilated capillaries: small  blood vessels  filled with stagnant blood that show up just below the skin’s surface, leading to a look of flushing in the cheeks and chin area, around the creases of the nose  and sometimes on the forehead. Hyperpigmentation: brown freckles and large spots that show up on the nose, the orbital bone and eventually all over the cheeks and forehead. These are also commonly called age spots. Wrinkles that are due to sun damage look like fine criss-crossing lines- these are not wrinkles that are due to facial expressions, but specifically due to the break down of the supportive fibers that keep the skin firm and taught. Loss of volume also occurs and manifest in sagging of the skin and ill-defined facial contours around the chin and jawline.

This is all a little bit disheartening- however, thanks to advancements in medical aesthetic technology, we can slow down and prevent a great deal of the aging process. One of the best treatments for photo-damaged skin is Broad Band Light therapy or photorejuvenation. By pulsing wavelengths of light into the depths of the skin, we can target pigmented cells and dilated capillaries to even out the skin tone. As the light scatters in the skin, it has rejuvenating effects on the collagen fibres, stimulating collagen synthesis. This improves skin firmness, refines pores and softens fine lines.

By combining photorejuvenation with microdermabrasion, we can improve the skin quality even more by retexture the epidermis. Microdermabrasion sloughs away the upper layers of the skin to reveal fresh hydrated skin and stimulate cell renewal from the bottom layers of the epidermis, effectively softening and revitalizing the skin.

It’s best to begin this series of treatments earlier on- before the signs of sun damage really take hold. Integrating a series of photorejuvenation and microdermabrasion treatments every few years after 30 is a good time to start. This way, the degradation of the dermis can be effectively prevented and heavier pigmentation and redness can be avoided  all together.

In the mean time. regular facials and effective home-care keep the balance in place to maintain healthy and beautiful skin for life.

As the fall approaches, it is a good time to plan ahead to begin Broad Band Light therapy for your skin and work on reducing and reversing sun damage in your skin. Keep your eyes out for upcoming specials, promotions and pop-up specials via our Facebook group page and Twitter posts.

Here’s an excellent article I found on Gwyneth Paltrow’s web site GOOP about approaching sun exposure from a balanced and healthy place.