Should You Fear the Sun?

Posted in Chemical Peels, CryoClear®, Facials, IPL/Photofacial

The sun is a tricky thing: it provides your skin with vitamin D, it feels comforting and soothing, and it is difficult to avoid. By now, most men and women understand that excessive sun exposure comes with a laundry list of potential problems. From premature aging to a higher risk of skin cancer, it often seems as though the sun does more harm than good. Unfortunately, many individuals only learn about these dangers after it is too late, and damage has already been done. If you spent your summers sunbathing by the pool or playing sports outside, there is a good chance that the negative effects have already started to set in. Luckily, The Spa at Spring Ridge offers a variety of non-invasive cosmetic treatments to help reverse the damage.

How Does Sun Damage Occur?

Sun damage is the result of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. UV rays are a threat 365 days a year, whether the sun is shining or the sky is cloudy. Sun exposure, whether you spend 30 minutes or six hours outside unprotected, allows for radiation to penetrate the skin and slowly corrupt and damage the DNA of your cells. When this happens, less collagen is produced and cells are weakened, allowing for the premature aging of your skin.

Treatments for Sun Damaged Skin

Your skin can begin to show the effects of sun damage in many different ways: fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, the darkening of freckles or skin patches, and texture irregularities on the face and hands. There are various cosmetic treatments available, ranging from facials to laser treatments to chemical peels. Some of the treatments offered by The Spa at Spring Ridge include:

Age Reversal Facial: Addresses hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity through the use of alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C.

ENVIRON® Vitamin-Infused Facial: Treats hyperpigmentation and improves overall skin health with vitamins A and C for ultimate rejuvenation.

CryoClear® Laser Treatment: Targets sun spots, age spots, and liver spots through the application of freezing temperatures to the epidermis.

IPL / Photofacial: Restores skin texture and brightness while reducing fine lines and hyperpigmentation with intense pulsed light.

Jessner’s Peel: Removes hyperpigmentation on mature sun-damaged skin through a combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol.

Don’t Fall For the Sun Twice

Once you have undergone cosmetic treatments for sun-damaged skin, the last thing you want to do is return to your bad habits. Although sun protection is a simple addition to your routine, it is one that is often forgotten about, and unfortunately, sun damage can recur if your skin is not protected. Although nothing will completely block out UV rays, there are several steps you can take to minimize your risk:

• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapplying every two hours
• Limit sun exposure during peak hours (10:00 am to 4:00 pm)
• Wear long-sleeved, tightly woven fabrics in dark colors
• Find a shady area or use an umbrella for shade
• Remember sunglasses and a hat that shades the forehead, eyes, nose, ears, and neck

Preventing sun exposure does not mean avoidance, it just means making smart choices to protect your skin. If you are tired of your sun-damaged skin, contact The Spa at Spring Ridge at (610) 927-3223 or fill out our online contact form.