Our bodies have a love/hate relationship with the sun. Sunlight keeps our sleeping patterns on track, and it helps our skin make much needed vitamin D. Getting too little sun, especially in winter months, can leave some people prone seasonal affective disorder. Yet sunlight can also cause damage. When UV rays enter skin cells, they upset delicate processes that affect the skin’s growth and appearance. In addition to increasing our risk of cancer, exposure to these rays can make the skin less elastic.
As a result, your skin may develop more wrinkles and lines. Sun exposure can also create dark spots on our face, hands, chest, and other areas of our body. It’s our skin’s way of protecting us by developing extra melanin. But for most of us, these spots are unwelcome discoloration.
Medical Spa Treatments for Sun Damage
If you’re seeking a youthful appearance and a brighter, more even skin tone, there are many age-defying procures out there, including several safe and comfortable options for diminishing the appearance of discoloration, including sun damage and even melasma— a challenging skin condition that causes brown or grayish-brown blotches on the skin that can last for years.
Here are a few of the most successful remedies, all of which we offer in our Medical Spa. These are offered at both our Midtown and Alpharetta locations, unless otherwise stated.
Low intensity treatments
Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a technique for exfoliating and removing the outermost skin layer and thereby encouraging the body to produce new healthy, vibrant skin. When your skin grows back, it’s lighter. This treatment can be successful for mild sun damage. It is not recommended for people with rosacea or visible veins on their face.
Oxygen Infusion: Great for all skin types, oxygen therapy is the infusion of essential nutrients for healthier, brighter, and more youthful skin. Oxygen strengthens your skin’s elasticity and, among other benefits, can help to even out skin tone.
PRX Derm Perfexion: The PRX is a chemical peel—without the peeling. It’s a new and improved formula of a trichloracetic acid (TCA) that contains both kojic acid and hydrogen peroxide. These additives help control the TCA which provides the rejuvenation of the skin at the dermal layer without the peeling properties of TCA. They reduce inflammation in the skin’s epidermis, aid in the restoration of cell production, and hinder the production of melanin, the pigment that can cause discoloration and sunspots. The treatment session takes about thirty minutes, with no needles, no pain, and no downtime. You will leave with brighter, healthier-looking skin. This new treatment is safe for all skin types.
Moderate Treatments
Microneedling: This is a versatile treatment that corrects a variety of skin concerns by stimulating collagen, increasing circulation, and creating fresh, new tissue. The process of microneedling breaks up melanin in the skin and absorbs it into the body, which is what makes it an effective treatment for sun spots. Optimum results usually require multiple treatments. The result is beautiful, smooth skin with an even tone.
VivaceTM Microneedling: Vivace is a skin tightening and resurfacing treatment that combines microneedling, radiofrequency (RF), and LED light therapy in a single treatment. Vivace can successfully treat multiple skin concerns, including scars and stretch marks, large pores, fine lines and wrinkles, redness and irritation, and more. Vivace is virtually painless, it is safe and effective for any skin type, and there is no downtime.
High Intensity Treatments
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacials: The IPL photofacial is a comfortable and effective laser treatment for age spots, melasma, and other imperfections including wrinkles, rosacea, and prominent pores. Applicable to the face, chest, hands, and other areas of the body, IPL uses bi-polar radio frequency and high-intensity pulses of light to target hyperpigmentation and remove or lighten the pigmented spots. It typically takes two to three sessions to receive the full benefit of this treatment. Note that the spots usually appear darker after the treatment, but a few days later they flake off and leave behind smooth and evenly toned skin. This service is offered at our Alpharetta location.
BroadBand Light® (BBL): BBL treatments deliver light energy deep into your skin to boost your body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate skin cells. BBL is the world’s most powerful intense pulsed light device on the market and is very effective in treating skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles, and sun damage. Any area of your body can be treated, but the most common areas are those most exposed to the damaging effects of sunlight, such as the face, neck, back of the hands, chest, and shoulders. This is a non-invasive and gentle procedure with virtually no downtime. It’s important to note that BBL is attracted to reds (vessels) and browns (pigmented spots). The light needs contrast to be effective to remove or lighten pigmented spots and thus it is not effective or safe for darker skin types.
NEW! Quanta Evo Light TM Laser: The state-of-the-art Quanta Evo Light laser addresses critical skin concerns including wrinkles, scars, hyperpigmentation, and more using long, short, and light pulsed lasers. With customizable spot sizes, our licensed aestheticians can treat different areas to your specifications. This laser is also able to treat all skin types, making everyone a candidate for this treatment. This service is offered in our Alpharetta location.
Request a Med Spa Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about treatments for sun damage or melasma, we’re here to help. Contact our office at 678-566-7200 to schedule an in-person consultation at our Midtown Atlanta or Alpharetta office.