Your skin becomes sun damaged as a result of prolonged sunlight exposure. The book "Change Your Looks, Change Your Life" suggests that sun damage leads to sunburn, tanned skin, brown spots, uneven skin color and wrinkles, among other things. If your skin is sun damaged, there are treatments and products that can help you rejuvenate it or reduce the signs of sun damage. Consult a dermatologist before you embark on any sun damage treatment.
Step 1
Apply a tretinoin cream. Renova, Retina-A and Refissa are brand names of some tretinoin creams. Tretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A and is a drug that can only be purchased with a prescription. It works to reduce sun damage by lightening your skin and peeling off the top layer to reveal newer skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, some common side effects of tretinoin are a burning feeling and stinging in the skin that last for a short time after initially applying the medicine, as well as mild skin peeling, warmth and dryness.
Step 2
Exfoliate your skin with microdermabrasion. During microdermabrasion, your dermatologist sprays fine crystals on your skin and then sucks them up along with skin particles using a vacuumlike device. This procedure removes parts of the top layer of your skin and stimulates new skin growth. Microdermabrasion is noninvasive and requires little to no recovery time, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. More than one procedure may be needed to remove or reduce unwanted skin pigmentation or wrinkles. Although this procedure is done by a dermatologist, do-it-yourself microdermabarasion kits are available for home use, but they are not as effective.
Step 3
Undergo nonablative laser skin resurfacing. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, nonablative or nonwounding laser resurfacing is a skin rejuvenation technique that can improve skin irregularities due to sun damage. During this procedure, your dermatologist applies a laser beam to your skin. The laser stimulates collagen growth; this improves your skin tone and removes fine lines and other signs of sun damage such as age spots.
Step 4
Treat your skin with chemical peels. Chemical peels are used to treat signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, age spots, freckles and skin pigmentation problems. During this technique, your dermatologist applies a chemical to your skin that causes it to blister and peel off. After this, you develop new skin that is less wrinkled than your old skin, smoother and more even in color, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Recovery time for a chemical peel depends on the depth of the peel. Superficial peels require no recovery time, while a healing period of a few days to a number of weeks is needed for recovery from medium to deep peels. Your dermatologist or physician will determine what depth of chemical peel is best for your skin.
References
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: Laser resurfacing information
- American Academy of Dermatology: Facial Skin Rejuvenation
- Mayo Clinic: Tretinoin (Topical Route)
- "Change Your Looks, Change Your Life: Quick Fixes and Cosmetic Surgery Solutions for Looking Younger, Feeling Healthier, and Living Better"; Michelle Copeland; 2004
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Skin Rejuvenation Physician's Guide
- "The New York Times Practical Guide to Practically Everything: The Essential Companion for Everyday Life"; Amy D. Bernstein, Peter W. Bernstein; 2006
