Taking Care of Your Skin: Past, Present, and Future
By Eric N. Tabor, M.D., Northshore LIVING WELL Magazine
You’ve had your summer fun. A few of us probably got just a little too much sun and now we are wishing we had used that sunscreen more frequently. You may have heard it before, but it is true: the best way to prevent premature skin aging and other unwanted skin woes is to apply sunscreen. Often. Whichever sunscreen you choose should cover both UVA and UVB rays, in other words, it should provide broad spectrum coverage. Keep in mind that even if your sunscreen claims to be waterproof, you must reapply throughout the time you are exposed to the sun.
Vigilant sunscreen application would take place in a perfect world, however, we live in the real world. So now that the tan is fading, brown spots have appeared in its absence. You may have noticed small, broken blood vessels showing up on your cheeks and nose. These are both indicators that those hours in helios heaven has created some damage. What do you do next? Time to visit your friendly cosmetic dermatology practice.
In addition to evaluating any new spots or changing moles, your dermatologist may be able to help guide you to the proper treatment for the damage you acquired over the summer months and the many summers before. There are a variety of treatments that can be utilized to combat and correct the concerns you have.
For mild cases of pigment irregularities, a simple topical treatment may be helpful. Prescription topical hydroquinone and retinoid products are the mainstays of topical treatment. Hydroquinone works to decrease the formation of melanin in the skin, thus reducing the hyperpigmentation that the sun can cause. Retinoid products promote rapid skin cell turnover, helping to shed the dark spots. There are also new non-prescription topical products, which may be helpful in treating unwanted pigmentation. Even though these new products do not require a prescription, consulting your dermatologist is wise before embarking on any new skin endeavor.
Perhaps you desire rejuvenation for your skin as well as pigment correction. There are multiple laser treatments as well as chemical peels that help you achieve the correction you wish for. Keep in mind that many of these treatments require the patient to have protected their skin from the sun for weeks before treatment. For that reason, some pre-planning may be necessary.
One of the leading treatments for both redness and pigment changes is called Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL. This procedure is an excellent choice for the patient who desires minimal discomfort and no downtime after their visit. A series of treatments is required to progressively remove both pigmented lesions and vascular lesions. Some patients also experience the added bonus of some skin tightening and reduction in pore size with IPL.
A variety of chemical peels are available to both correct sun damage and rejuvenate the skin. They include glycolic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, trichloroacetic acid (or TCA), as well as Blue Peels. There are also several new combined peels that are helpful in treating pigment problems as well as fine lines and wrinkles. A minimal period of downtime may be expected after some of these peels, usually only a few days.
Finally, fractional resurfacing is among the newest of the rejuvenation laser treatments. This particular type of laser directs a grid pattern of tiny pulses of light at the skin to deliver columns of energy that can reach the skin’s dermal layer. That act stimulates a natural renewal process of the body’s own collagen. This laser is more aggressive in treating lines and wrinkles then the aforementioned IPL. Fractional lasers are not as effective at reducing skin redness or broken blood vessels; they are more successful at tightening the skin as well as reducing pore size. The trade-off between fractional laser treatment and IPL is a slightly longer period of downtime with fractional laser treatments, typically not exceeding one week.
Each of the treatments outlined above is an excellent option. Often, a comprehensive program utilizing both topical products in combination with procedures can be highly effective. You and your dermatologist should work together to create a treatment plan that matches not only your goals and lifestyle but also fits your budget.
Eric N. Tabor, M.D., is available at the Northshore Dermatology in Slidell and Madisonville. He can be reached at 985-641-5198 in Slidell or 985-792-5959 in Madisonville.
