Are Brown Spots on Your Skin Making you Look Older? - The Adams Center's Newsletters - Cosmetic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Aesthetician Services, Skin Care, & Personal Fitness - Boston MA - Peabody MA

It's that time of year. Summer vacation is over, children are in school again, and schedules are in full swing.

But, did you know that a summer of fun in the sun can cause more than a great tan? In fact, ultraviolet light (or UV exposure) causes 90% of pigmentation issues in our skin. Age spots, uneven pigmentation on your face, hands, arms, legs, and more.

Even on a cloudy day in January, UVA rays penetrate deep into the lower dermal layer of skin to prematurely age and damage skin. Other forms of UV rays, such as UVB, the burning rays, only reach the top layer of skin, but also cause damage.

Fortunately, there are several great options to help your skin get back to looking clear, more youthful, and evenly pigmented.

IPL
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), often called a "Lunch-time Photo facial," is the use of intense visible light which is attracted to certain chromophores, or pigments, such as melanin, the pigment which gives skin and skin spots their color. IPL can treat age spots, freckles, and mottled pigmentation. It can also treat dilated capillaries, also called "broken capillaries "or red spots, as well. Also, IPL tends to give the skin a "glow" a few days after a treatment.

IPL works best on lighter, non-tanned skin. While IPL is relatively painless, a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin is briefly felt. After the treatment is complete, pigmented areas may darken temporarily, usually for approximately a week. After this occurs, you'll notice your skin is more evenly pigmented, facial veins are reduced or eliminated, pore size is lessened, and fine lines appear smoother. A course of three to five treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart is recommended.

IPL can be combined with Levulan, a photosynthesizing agent activated by IPL, for a deeper level of skin rejuvenation. During the treatment, Levulan is applied to the skin for a set period of time after prepping the skin with an acetone scrub or microdermabrasion. Following the treatment, your skin will be sensitive to light for approximately 48 hours, and may feel sun-burned, swell, darken, and possibly peel; this normally resolves within 5-7 days. Skin appears dramatically improved after two to three IPL/Levulan treatments.

Microdermabrasion and Peels
Microdermabrasion, and light to medium depth peels are also great ways to correct pigmentation issues. Treatments gently remove the outer dead layers of skin which dull the surface of skin and hold excess pigment. Usually, a series of six lighter peels or microdermabrasion treatments, spaced two weeks apart, are necessary. Peels range in downtime from zero to about 7 days depending on the depth of the peel.

To achieve the best pigmentation control, maintenance with home care products that contain hydroquinone, glycolic acid, retinoids, vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid, and sun block can help keep your skin clear and smooth.

Obagi NuDerm
Obagi NuDerm is a medically supervised skin care program used at home to rejuvenate the skin on a cellular level. It contains many prescription-strength pigmentation control ingredients, and is customized for your goals and skin type. Within a few months of using NuDerm products, skin is markedly smoother, clearer, hydrated, and more evenly pigmented. A reduction in fine lines and wrinkles is also noted with these products.

Above all, protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays is essential to keeping pigmentation issues from reoccurring and under control.

With all these aids to beautiful, clear skin at your assistance, if you start now you will go into the fall and holiday season with healthier, smoother, and more even skin.

Written by Cindi Clark, Nurse Aesthetician at The Adams Center