Like all life on earth, the human body needs the sun to function. From helping us get the right amount of sleep to building strong bones to keeping seasonal depression at bay, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays play an important role in our lives.

But the same light that makes life possible can also cause serious damage to your skin. At SculptMD in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, Dr. Manolis Manolakakis and our aesthetic team help keep your skin in the pink of health and reverse sun damage with our comprehensive aesthetic treatments.

Here’s a closer look at what no one ever told you about the impact of the sun on your skin and the treatments available to help.

How does the sun affect my skin?

The sun’s light travels to our planet in many forms. Some types of sunlight, like radio-wave light, don’t hurt your skin. But other types, like ultraviolet (UV) light, can cause sun-damage skin.

The outermost layer of your skin turns over frequently to help repair damage. During this process, new skin cells replace older ones in the process of cell renewal. When you’re exposed to UV radiation, this cell renewal process slows. This makes it harder for your skin to repair itself.

UV radiation also affects the underlying connective tissues of your skin. This causes your skin to lose elasticity and tone. Wrinkles and lines appear, and your skin sags.

The sun’s light also causes the DNA of your skin to change. This triggers a process called photoaging, or premature aging, of your skin. Photoaging leads to sun spots and other pigmentation problems, like freckles and moles. Photoaging also increases the growth of precancerous and cancerous skin cells.

Can microneedling help with sun damage?

Absolutely! One of our favorite treatments for patients struggling with sun-damaged skin is radiofrequency (RF) microneedling by Cutera®. This innovative therapy combines two powerful treatments. Together they reverse sun damage and the visible signs of aging.

Microneedling uses tiny needles to create micro-wounds on your skin. These wounds trigger your body’s healing process and repair damage from the sun. Radiofrequency energy gently heats cells to the optimal temperature for stimulating collagen production. This gives you healthier, firmer skin.

Can a chemical peel treat sun damage?

Yes! Chemical peels improve sun-damaged skin using specially blended chemical solutions. These solutions work to remove your outer layer of skin, stimulating your body’s collagen production in the process.

Collagen and other proteins in the middle layers of your skin both maintain your existing skin and make new skin cells. When your body’s collagen production increases, the top layer of your skin turns over more frequently.

With more collagen, the new skin that replaces the old is tighter, smoother, and younger-looking with less sun damage. The active ingredients in the peel also help remove cells with higher pigment levels, evening your skin tone and erasing sunspots and other signs of aging.

Your SculptMD provider evaluates your current skin condition and reviews your aesthetic goals. This helps us determine which chemical peel is right for you.

Different peels provide different results and need different amounts of time for recovery.

• Superficial peels use milder acids to address mild skin concerns and only cause slight redness, which usually resolves within 24 hours
• Medium peels use stronger chemicals to penetrate deeper into your skin and require up to 5 days recuperation
• Deep peels use stronger acids to reach the deepest levels of your skin and provide the most dramatic results but require bandaging and up to 14 days recovery

Your SulptMD provider may also recommend additional services, such as a HydraFacial® or Botox® and fillers to help further rejuvenate your appearance.

For more information about sun damage or to learn which treatments can best help your skin, schedule an appointment over the phone or online with the aesthetic experts at SculptMD in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.