Banish Brown Spots and Other Summer Sun Damage: Learn About Our Treatment Options

Summertime is for enjoying the weather, sitting out in the sun, and soaking in the rays. As incredible as that sounds, sitting in the sun isn't the best for your skin in many ways.

Staying out of the sun is the best option for a long-term youthful glow. But if you've already spent time in the sun and regret it, you have plenty of opportunities to reverse the signs of aging.

Dr. Zainab Nawab and the VitalizeMD Skin Care and Laser Center team understand the need for healthy, glowing skin, no matter your age.

Dr. Nawab is an aesthetics specialist, providing various treatments for issues like brown spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and sun damage.

How the sun damages the skin

On a warm sunny day, you may want to go outside in a tank top, shorts, and flip-flops to soak up the beautiful weather — but it's not the best idea if you're looking to preserve your skin.

The sun's rays contain harmful ultraviolet light, which takes a toll on the skin and your body with repeated exposure. There are different types of UV rays — UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate down into the skin, whereas UVB typically causes sunburns.

Both types of UV rays disrupt the skin's delicate cells, causing changes to the appearance and health of the skin over time. Some of the problems sun damage causes after repeated exposure include:

• Wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation
• Age or liver spots
• Fine lines
• Skin cancer

The more you subject your skin to UV rays without protection, the more likely you are to experience signs of aging, sunburns, and, in some cases, skin cancer.

Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays is the best way to prevent issues with your skin.

Tips to reduce skin damage

You don't have to sit inside all summer, dreaming of enjoying the beautiful weather to keep your skin healthy. There are various ways you can enjoy being outdoors without wreaking havoc on your skin's health, including:

• Wear sunscreen with SPF
• Take breaks in the shade
• Wear a hat to protect your face
• Put on clothing that covers the skin when possible
• Reapply sunscreen often

You can only sometimes head for shade or wear protective clothing, especially at the beach. However, wearing a reliable sunscreen and reapplying often can help reduce your skin's exposure to harmful UV rays.

An umbrella, unique UV protective shirts and sunglasses, and a hat are all great ways to shield your body from sunburns and skin damage.

What treatment options do I have?

If you've already undergone years of sun damage and are now looking in the mirror at brown spots, wrinkles, and fine lines, you have some treatment options.

Dr. Nawab evaluates your skin's health and offers customized treatments specific to your needs. A few of the treatments she provides for brown spots and sun damage are:

Skincare products

Skin care products are often long-term, personalized creams, lotions, and serums that protect your skin at the cellular level. You typically use these products daily to keep the skin healthy and encourage collagen production for a healthy glow.

Chemical peels

For more severe brown spots or hyperpigmentation, Dr. Nawab recommends chemical peels. There are several levels of a chemical peel, each of which eliminates the top damaged layers of skin to promote healthy cell regeneration and collagen production for a healthy, youthful appearance.

Microneedling

Another treatment for pigmentation problems related to sun damage is microneedling. During this procedure, Dr. Nawab uses tiny medical-grade needles to create microtears in the skin.

The microtears stimulate your body's healing system, which produces elastin and collagen to produce new, healthy skin cells and an even color to the skin.

Laser treatments

Laser resurfacing treatments are another option when you've suffered sun damage and uneven pigmentation to your skin. Dr. Nawab uses a specialized laser to eliminate damaged skin, leaving healthy, glowing skin cells for a beautiful complexion.

We also provide customized facials that address specific damage to your skin. We use particular skin products to minimize the visible wrinkles, sun spots, and fine lines in your skin from sun damage.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nawab for one of our cutting-edge skin treatments, call or text us today at 508-206-9112 or request a consultation on the website.