Photo Damage Skin - Information and Treatment Options

Photodamage describes skin changes such as fine and coarse wrinkles, roughness, freckles and pigmentation changes that occur as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun. It is not only characterised by rhytides, but also by epidermal and dermal atrophy, rough skin texture, irregular pigmentation, telangiectasias, laxity, and enlarged pores. There is growing interest in the development of noninvasive methods to treat photodamaged skin.

Treatment:

These includes:-

• Skin photorejuvenation, is the visible improvement of photodamaged skin using a laser or other light source. A noncoherent, broadband, pulsed light source is effective in the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions of the skin.

• Topical tretinoin, is found very effective for the treatment of and certain other features of human skin damaged by exposure to the sun, but histologic changes do not account for this improvement.

• Glycolic Acid: This has become the standard alpha-hydroxy acid used for superficial peeling. The glycolic acid peel is used for treating conditions associated with mild photodamage including fine wrinkles, sun-derived keratoses, and increased pigmentation.

• SkinCeuticals Products - Using a combination antioxidant treatment and a broad-spectrum sunscreen can be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from premature aging and to improve existing environmental damage on your skin.

• Microdermabrasion - It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, age spots and dullness, acne scars and pore size. Compared to original forms of microdermabrasion in which aluminum oxide particles are blown across the skin, "vibradermabrasion" causes less trauma to the epidermis which results in less inflammation and swelling than that seen with other systems.

• Sunscreens: Sun avoidance and regular sunscreen use are widely promoted by organizations and individuals interested in cancer prevention.

Some use sunscreens to prevent sunburn, whereas others use sunscreens to improve sun tanning. Some wish to avoid the wrinkling associated with sun exposure, and others believe that sunscreens prevent all types of skin can.