Summer is a time for entertainment, beach trips, and sun-kissed skin. However, despite this season’s potential, it’s not all just sunshine and fun. The UV rays are more potent during summer, and not even the pool is safe, as reflected UV can be just as dangerous. When this happens, you can expect some damage to the skin. However, this damage will not be irreversible if you address it on time. Certain treatments can restore the skin barrier, reducing the imperfections resulting from sun exposure. Let’s find out how Synergy by Shaw can help you rejuvenate the skin after a season of sunshine.
Why Is the Sun Damaging to the Skin?
The sun may seem warm and pleasant during the summer, but it emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can be very harmful. The first kind is represented by the UVA rays, which go deep into the skin and potentially lead to premature aging. UVA rays can damage the skin’s collagen fibers, causing it to wrinkle and sag and preventing it from healing properly (leading to pigmentation marks).
The second and perhaps the most dangerous are the UVB rays, or in other words, the ones that cause you to get sunburnt. These rays damage your skin so deeply that they affect its DNA. Depending on the circumstances, it can lead to conditions like skin cancer.
Best Treatments for Sun Damage
Damaged skin does not always have to stay damaged. You just need to rejuvenate it with the right sun damage treatment. Here are some of the more popular options we offer at Synergy by Shaw:
- HydraFacial®
Summer makes the skin look dull and tired. A good treatment for rejuvenating your features is HydraFacial®. This treatment not only cleanses the skin of impurities but infuses it with nourishing agents as well creating a dewy glow.
The HydraFacial® treatment starts with a cleansing process that reduces surface impurities, whereas the exfoliation dislodges the dead skin from your face. The process ends with a serum infusion, with Dr. Shaw choosing a formula that works best for your skin type.
- Chemical Peels
During summertime, the top layer of the skin gets extensive damage, causing it to appear dull and aged. The natural skin resurfacing process can gradually reduce this effect, but the overall process is too slow.
Chemical peels accelerate this process by using an exfoliating chemical solution, usually made from TCA or salicylic acid. This causes the top of the skin to peel off within the next few days, improving the texture and reducing imperfections.
- Lumenis® Ultrapulse CO2
Considering that UV rays can damage collagen bonds, perhaps the best way to reverse this effect is to trigger the formation of new ones. Laser treatments have shown to be effective in that matter, with procedures such as Lumenis® Ultrapulse CO2 gaining rapid popularity.
This procedure penetrates deeply into the skin, the warmth of the laser triggering the body’s healing process. This leads to the production of new collagen, which can help you treat wrinkles, acne scars, and many other types of damaged tissue.
- MOXI™ Skin Rejuvenation
Your skin can be somewhat sensitive after the summer season ends, so a gentle laser should be your go-to treatment. MOXI™ laser uses a fractional, non-ablative laser to treat early signs of sun damage, along with pigmentation marks and redness. This can improve skin texture and tone, which is often a problem after you spend the entire summer tanning on the beach.
Enjoy Beautiful Skin After Summer
Summer is a beautiful season that allows for plenty of entertaining activities. While sunscreen can protect you from getting the full blast of the damage, you can’t always account for all of it. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Travis Shaw and have your sun damage addressed so that you can rest assured knowing your skin is fresh and healthy!
For more information about the best sun damage treatments, contact Dr. Travis Shaw at 804-775-4559. He can recommend some good sun damage prevention routines while creating a treatment plan for existing damage. Alternatively, you can fill out our online contact form, and we will be in touch with you soon.
