What Are Sun Spots?
One consequence of exposure to UVR (ultraviolet radiation) is the development of solar lentigines. These are round, flat, brown spots that occur mostly on sun-exposed skin (e.g., face, tops of hands, and upper chest). They are commonly known as "sun spots," "age spots," or "liver spots." They can occur in children and become more prevalent in adults, especially fair-skinned individuals.
Although not dangerous (any new or changing spot should be evaluated by a dermatologist), they often contribute to an aged look, and their removal gives a much more youthful appearance to the skin.
There are many ways to remove lentigines, but the most effective are laser or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments. IPL has the added benefit of treating broken blood vessels and fine lines at the same time. This usually involves one to three treatment sessions to a given area over the course of six to eight weeks. There may be mild discomfort associated with this treatment and side effects including mild redness, swelling, temporary darkening of the spots, and scabbing. Most people find they can return to work or social situations with minimal to no downtime.
Prevention of new spots and reoccurrence of treated ones involves minimizing UVR exposure and judicious use of sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of (SPF) of 30. Topical preparations are usually beneficial in maintaining the skin improved by laser/IPL.
Photoprotection
Two types of ultraviolet radiation from the sun reach the earth's surface: UVB and UVA. UVB produces redness more easily, while UVA produces tanning more easily. Both are associated with long-term damage and aging to the skin, as well as skin cancer. Significant UVA exposure occurs even in the shade.
Clothing is photoprotective but varies widely depending on the fabric, thickness, and color, among other things. In general, tightly woven and thicker fabrics are better protection. For example, wool and polyester provide more protection than cotton, linen, and rayon. Darker colored and looser fitting clothes also usually offer more protection.
Hats are important, but they need to have a wide brim. Some narrow-brimmed hats, such as baseball caps, provide only slight protection for the nose and little to no protection for the chin and neck.
UV radiation damages ocular tissue and can cause cataracts and eye cancer over the long term. It is important to wear sunglasses that absorb 99 percent to 100 percent of both UVB and UVA. Just because they are expensive or polarizing does not guarantee adequate UVA protection.
Normal, clear window glass blocks UVB but not UVA. Tinted glass can block a significant portion of UVA; in most cars, the windshield provides more protection than the side windows.
Broad-spectrum (protection from UVB and UVA) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater is an important means of reducing photoaging and skin cancer. Even then, the efficacy may be severely diminished by inadequate application and infrequent reapplication. As a general guideline, apply suncreen 15 to 20 minutes before initial sun exposure, then every two to three hours and after swimming and heavy sweating.
Sunless tanning creams and sprays only provide an SPF of 2.
The same warnings about UV exposure apply to children, but the job of providing and emphasizing protection often falls on adults. One survey of 25,000 schoolchildren showed that only 20 percent used regular sun protection. Children six months and older should use sunscreens regularly as part of an overall sun protection regimen. Children under six months should be protected from sun exposure through clothing, shade, and sunscreen application only to exposed skin.
Fractional Laser
Fractional carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing and tightening , the best return on investment in skin care.
The early versions of the carbon dioxide laser gave incredible results but the healing times were long, there was prolonged after care and the skin could suffer the effects of permanent lightening change.
The skin got restored and the wrinkles were gone however, the big kick was the amount of tightening the skin underwent through shrinkage almost like a mini face lift without the surgery.
Get the benefits of the resultant skin tightening with minimal healing, less discomfort, only local cream anesthesia, and no loss of natural color, and still get rid of wrinkles and brown spots.
Technology has now allowed us to keep the positives and eliminate the negatives, of carbon dioxide lasering. There is no other skin care system that compares when sun and elements have taken their toll. When milder peels no longer have effect it’s time to inquire about fractional laser therapy.
The answer lies in being able to fractionate or disperse the laser energy, so the deep layers of the skin can be stimulated to tighten and generate new young collagen while keeping intact a significant portion of the outer skin layer so healing is accomplished quickly from the skin surface.
The small vaporized dots peel off in 4 days and make up can be applied, the majority of the redness is gone in one week. People can resume normal activity in 7 days, while the deep skin layers continue to produce new collagen for three to four months!
This laser can be used effectively on delicate neck skin and chest skin as well as hands, it removes wrinkles, brown spots and gives back a youth full skin texture with new collagen.
The Fractional laser know as the Active FX Encore is the most flexible safest and most comfortable way to a new younger face. It has many of the benefits of a face lift without the surgery and risks. It’s effective at a wide spectrum of age groups from late 30’s to 80’s whenever the sun has damaged skin excessively.
Call the office and see if you are a candidate. There is no recovery so the patient can leave the office without assistance 20 minutes after the procedure.
Treatments that May Help
The following treatment links will take you to www.ajune.com
for more information:
Post-treatment:
Collagen Treatment
Miracle Waves LED, Ultimate Ajune Glow, Total Bio-Energizer, Vitalize Peel, Glycolic Peel, Microdermabrasion, Profect Laser Therapy, Profect Laser, Lymphatic Drainage Facial, Anti Aging Eye Treatemnt, Men's Grooming Facial, Hydrating Treatment, Skin Ceuticals Vitamin C Treatment, Ajune Body Facial, Shea Butter Body Emulsion, Airbrush Tanning, Microdermabrasion for Hands and Feet
Products that May Help:
Prevage, TNS Recovery Complex, Neocutis, Skinceuticals Vit C
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