How to Counteract Sun Damage

According to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, exposure to radiation from sunlight causes more than 90 percent of signs of premature aging. Living in the sunny Southern California climate, you probably practice safe sun habits to prevent wrinkles and dark spots and reduce your risk of skin cancer. However, what if the damage has already been done — perhaps from years of baking in the sun or using tanning beds when you were younger?

Here, San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Abhay Gupta explains how to counteract noticeable areas of sun damage.

Exfoliation

Dead cells from the outermost layer of skin can give you a blotchy or uneven complexion. Use exfoliating products and tools to gently slough off the dead skin cells and reveal smooth, radiant skin underneath. Dr. Gupta recommends you use a loofah or body brush in the shower, and look for topical products that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid.

Bleaching

Exfoliating primes the skin for the smooth application of gentle bleaching products to lighten brown spots and sunspots. Contrary to their name, bleaches won’t turn the skin white; they will simply break up areas of hyperpigmentation. To treat stubborn spots, look for an over-the-counter product with retinol, or talk with Dr. Gupta about a more potent prescription-strength retinoid cream.

Chemical Peels

Dr. Gupta offers several non-surgical treatments to address areas of sun damage. One of these options is a chemical peel to dissolve the outer layer of damaged skin with a topical solution. After a chemical peel, the skin looks more even, less wrinkled and smoother. Peels vary in severity, depending on how noticeable the damage is. During treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin; the top layer of skin then blisters and “peels” off.

Laser Therapy

Laser skin resurfacing is another professional treatment to improve wrinkles, spots and other flaws. Dr. Gupta uses laser energy to remove old, damaged skin and reveal fresh skin. He prefers fractional laser technology, which treats the skin in a special pattern, leaving some skin intact between the treated areas. This pattern lends itself to faster healing and quicker results.

Cosmetic Injectables

If you have developed furrows and wrinkles around your eyes or forehead from squinting in the sun on bright days, Botox can help minimize these lines. The injectable product temporarily paralyzes muscles that contract to form facial expressions like squinting; this causes the overlying wrinkle to relax.

To learn more about fighting sun damage and looking fresh and youthful, contact our practice today. Call (858) 408-6100 to make an appointment with Dr. Gupta.

Fun Monthly Fact: Earlier this month, the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds opened its legendary gates. It will remain open through Sunday, July 5 (closed Mondays). Last year, the fair hosted more than 1.4 million visitors — an average of 60,000 per day.