Top Skin Treatments to Soothe Summer Sun Damage in Fall

Fall is finally here, and after a long summer of fun in the sun, you may be noticing a few new lines and wrinkles on your face. Sun damage is one of the leading signs of premature aging and failing to take care of your skin can make you look years older than you actually are.

The sun damage is already here. So, what can you do to reverse summer sun damage and start feeling more confident in your appearance? Here are some of our favorite suggestions.

Fraxel®

Fraxel is a specially designed fractional laser that treats skin in small segments. This FDA-approved laser can provide unparalleled skin tightening while removing flaws such as sunspots, uneven texture, melasma, scarring, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. The heat from the laser promotes gradual production of collagen and elastin, which means you will continue to see improvements in the months following your treatment.

Fraxel is effective for your face, as well as your sun-damaged neck, chest, and hands. Dr. Matarasso can customize the depth of your Fraxel treatment depending on your specific concerns and the imperfections you want to address. You may also wish to schedule more than one Fraxel session for even more dramatic results.

Downtime is minimal, and the most common side effects are redness, swelling, skin bronzing, and flaking. After a Fraxel treatment, you will need to be diligent about applying moisturizer and using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every time you go outside. 

Intense Pulsed Light

Intense pulsed light, or IPL, is another non-surgical option Dr. Matarasso offers for improving the quality of your skin. Unlike Fraxel which uses a single frequency of laser energy, IPL uses multiple frequencies of intense light to produce results. Applying this light energy in bursts rejuvenates damaged skin cells. However, IPL is akin to Fraxel in that it only affects targeted treatment areas, leaving the surrounding skin untouched. 

IPL is a no-downtime way to reduce sun-damaged skin and reverse many of the most common side effects of aging, including sunspots, freckles, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. It can also treat concerns like spider veins and unwanted body hair. IPL is safe for nearly all skin types and is more comfortable than some other options because of the cooling gel used during the procedure. 

Depending on your goals, you can schedule a series of several IPL sessions spaced 30 to 60 days apart. After IPL, your skin will be more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, so be sure to apply sunscreen before leaving the house.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing treatment that is excellent for sun-damaged, uneven, or dull skin. Instead of using light energy to produce results, the microdermabrasion technique uses a tool that gently exfoliates the skin with aluminum oxide crystals. Removing old, dead skin cells stimulates collagen production and helps improve both the texture and appearance of your skin. 

Microdermabrasion is mild enough to not require any anesthesia beforehand or downtime for recovery afterward. It’s an excellent all-around rejuvenation treatment that only takes about half an hour to perform. If you’re short on free-time, schedule your appointment for your lunch break and be back at work immediately afterward.  

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a unique, FDA-approved treatment that uses ultrasound energy to refresh the skin on the face, neck, and décolletage area. It can penetrate deeper than lasers, which makes it highly effective at promoting collagen production, tightening the skin, and making you look younger.

Because there is no healing time necessary after getting Ultherapy, it’s an ideal treatment for anyone who leads a busy lifestyle and isn’t willing to commit to the lengthy recovery process that often follows surgeries such as a facelift or neck lift. Ultherapy is also an excellent option for anyone who wants natural-looking results that gradually improve over time. 

Who Loves the Sun? Not Everyone

If you’re ready to reclaim your skin from the cumulative effects of sun damage, seek help from San Francisco’s leading skincare expert, Dr. Seth Matarasso. As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Matarasso is proud to offer many of the latest cutting-edge, non-surgical treatments available for sun damage. His goal is to get his patients looking and feeling their best. To learn more about how you can reverse the effects of summer sun damage, contact us for a consultation and put your best face forward this fall.