Sun damage is the number one contributing factor to our skin ageing before its time. Studies show that UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible signs of ageing.
While we’re all familiar with the immediate signs of sun damage – redness and sun burn, it’s the prolonged damage that we should worry about when it comes to ageing.
Known as photoageing, prolonged sun damage begins to appear years after the initial damage took place. Signs of photoageing include fine lines and wrinkles, broken capillaries, dark spots and pigmentation, and dehydrated and crepey skin.
It takes so long to appear because the UV rays penetrate right down to our dermis (the deepest layer of our skin) so it can take years for the damage to rise to the surface.
When it comes to treating photoageing, prevention is the best course of action. Make sure you’re always wearing a high-grade 50+ SPF every day. This applies to days when it’s cloudy, during winter and even if you spend most of your time indoors (UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and windows!).
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SUN DAMAGE AND PIGMENTATION
Fraxel
Fraxel works to treat significant signs of photoaging such as deeper wrinkles, pigmentation, and redness caused by broken veins and capillaries.
While Fraxel does come with about seven days of downtime, one annual treatment can significantly resurface your skin for long-lasting results. A fractional laser, penetrates the deeper, dermis layer of your skin to stimulate the production of new skin cells and collagen. By leaving most of the surrounding skin intact, your skin’s natural rejuvenation process kicks in. This smooths wrinkles and scars, lifts pigmentation and reveals clearer, healthier looking skin.
Clear + Brilliant
Clear + Brilliant works to treat moderate effects of photoaging such as fine lines and small patches of pigmentation. The laser treatment can also be used to resurface your skin to improve texture. It works by using a fractional laser to penetrate the top layer of your skin, known as the epidermis to stimulate the production of new skin cells and collagen. This works to repair and brighten your complexion, improving pigmentation while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Clear + Brilliant has less downtime than more intensive lasers such as Fraxel and is recommended as a series of treatments.
IPL
IPL (Intense Pulse Light) treatments use controlled light energy to target areas of pigmentation or redness in the skin. The light stimulates the body’s natural processes to gradually reduce visible discolouration and the appearance of superficial blood vessels.
IPL can be used on areas of the body where pigmentation or redness is present, commonly the face, neck, décolletage, arms, and hands. IPL has similar downtime to Clear + Brilliant and is also recommended as a series of treatments.
Which laser is right for you?
Pamper has various treatment options available to target different levels of sun damage. The best option depends on your skin goals, degree of damage, lifestyle, and tolerance for downtime.
If you’re unsure, consult one of Pamper’s experienced clinicians who can evaluate your skin and design a personalised treatment plan.