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What is Photoaging?

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Despite the English translation, photoaging has nothing to do with photos. The prefix “Photo” stems from the Greek word “phos,” meaning light. Photoaging is the early aging of the skin caused by extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation. When UVA and UVB rays penetrate the skin, they damage the epidermis and dermis, the two outer layers of the skin. Skin cells die if they are damaged too extremely. Skin cells that survive the rays imperfectly repair the skin, forming photoaging, pigmented spots and skin cancer.

Signs of photoaging include: various pigment spots, fine wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, leathery or saggy skin, and spider veins on the face. Actinic keratoses, scaly rough spots on the skin, are a more serious sign of photoaging and may be pre-cancerous. See a dermatologist for treatment if this starts to occur. There are many chemical and medical treatments to help with photoaging. A dermatologist can help decide what treatment is best for your skin.

Photoaging builds up over time and is best prevented with sun protection. Simple precautions such as seeking shade, wearing wide-brimmed hats and applying sunscreen liberally help decrease chances of photoaging. Broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 should be applied when in the sun, especially at the sun’s most powerful time of the day, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

LimeLight Photo Facial

Through the advancement of technology, we can now utilize lasers for cosmetic purposes like eye surgery or skin rejuvenation. Lasers near your eyes or face may sound questionable, but the procedures provide long-term benefits. At our MediSpa, we offer a non-surgical, minimally invasive laser treatment that improves the appearance of your skin called LimeLight Photo Facial.

This procedure uses an intense pulsed light device that penetrates the surface layers of skin to target the cells that need to be treated, without harming the outermost cells. The sensation you feel during the procedure is similar to a rubber band lightly tapping against your skin. LimeLight Photo Facials help improve:

  • Redness and Rosacea
  • Brown Spots and Sun Damage
  • Uneven Skin Tone
  • The Appearance of Enlarged Pores
  • The Appearance of Fine Lines & Wrinkles

After the treatment, you might feel like you have a mild sunburn. This typically passes within the next few hours but could last 1-2 days, depending on your skin. Aloe Vera and cool compresses help reduce any swelling or redness you may experience after treatment. Light-based treatments are among the safest skin procedures because they target only the cells that need to be treated. Call one of our certified physicians and we’ll examine your skin and make sure a Photo Facial is the best method for you for skin rejuvenation.

Summer Skin: Sun Damage & Hyperpigmentation

By summer’s end, your skin routine may begin to change. You should be trading water-based moisturizers for creamier ones, but still using SPF 30 daily because sun damage and hyperpigmentation can affect your skin even as the weather cools down.

Sun damage is what happens to your skin when the accumulation of sun exposure alters your skin’s DNA cells. Continued damage from the sun can cause your skin to become dry, flaky or even prematurely wrinkled. These changes to your skin happen over time- not just in the summer. Damage happens as a result of continued exposure and not enough protection (applying SPF 30 every two hours).

Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by sun damage. It is the darkening of a patch of skin caused by increased melanin production. When you tan, sometimes you burn a little at first but you slowly build up a tolerance. That’s your skin increasing its melanin production. Hyperpigmentation can be spread all over your skin or simply confined to smaller areas such as your face or the back of your hands. It could also indicate underlying causes.

There is an easy way to prevent sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Moisturize and protect your skin with at least SPF 30 throughout the year. Make sure you drink enough fluids and exfoliate once or twice a week. Feel free to speak with one of our certified physicians about any splotches of darker color you notice on your skin.

If you have any questions about skin protection or any changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians in Knoxville to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.