Sun Damage Skin

While many of us enjoy the warmth and brightness of the sun, overexposure to the sun can result in more than a tan. 

So, what is sun damage?

Sun damage (photoaging) occurs when exposure to the sun’s rays starts to draw out the skin’s natural moisture content and deplete it of natural lubricating oils. In addition, burning caused by the sun’s rays can also cause long-term changes to the skin’s structure.

As a result, symptoms are varied and include:

• Wrinkles
• Changes in pigmentation, such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines), and freckles
• Reduced skin tone (decreased elasticity)
• Uneven and rough skin texture
• Spider veins, often around the nose and chest
• Redness and patchiness

Moreover, long-term sun exposure without protection is also a major cause of skin cancer.

How does the sun cause skin damage?

Sun damage occurs when ultraviolet (UV) radiation triggers DNA changes in the skin. These changes can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. 

Essentially, UV radiation comprises three types:

UVA light: Penetrates deeply into the skin, affecting collagen, elastin fibers, epidermal cells, and capillaries, causing damage at all skin levels.

UVB light: Targets the outer skin layer, causing DNA damage in the epidermis, leading to photoaging and the formation of precancerous cells known as actinic keratoses.

UVC light: Absorbed by the ozone layer and atmosphere, posing minimal health risks.

Who is at risk of sun damage to the skin?

Everyone is at risk of sun damage when their skin is unprotected. However, people with darker skin tones are less susceptible to sunburn because their skin contains higher levels of melanin, a brown pigment that protects against some of the sun's harmful UV rays

While the team at Gilded Leaf MedSpa can’t undo the past, we can help reverse the signs of sun damage to the skin with the following treatments:

• Microneedling - Prolonged sun exposure can lead to skin damage, causing wrinkles, dryness, and other issues like freckles and dark spots. Microneedling stimulates collagen production by creating tiny injuries across the skin's surface, resulting in brighter and smoother skin.
• Visia Skin Analysis - offers a comprehensive evaluation of skin condition, detecting the severity of melasma at surface and subsurface levels to guide personalized skincare regimens, recommend treatments and track efficacy.
• Laser Rejuvenation - Sun-damaged skin is effectively targeted by the laser, which heats and eliminates excess pigment to reduce the visibility of age spots, sunspots, freckles, and melasma.
• Laser Resurfacing - high-energy light absorbed by the skin's moisture eliminates thin and unhealthy skin layers, effectively addressing sun damage while revitalizing collagen production for firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

To find out more click into the treatment boxes below or call 314 899 5033 to schedule a consultation