There’s nothing like spending the day outside on a gorgeous, sunny day. Unfortunately that feeling often comes with a price – sun damage. Unprotected skin is vulnerable to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause long-term changes to your skin.

Sun damage comes in many forms, but some of the most common types include:

• Dry skin – When exposed to excessive amounts of sun, your skin can slowly lose natural moisture and essential oils. This can cause your skin to appear dry or flaky – resulting in an aged appearance.
• Sunburn – Sunburn is a skin injury that occurs after the skin is exposed to UV radiation. Mild to moderate sunburn results in skin reddening and discomfort, but more severe cases can result in vesicles (fluid-filled bumps) or large blisters.
• Actinic keratosis – When exposed to the sun for a long period of time, small rough patches may develop on your skin. It is possible for actinic keratosis to eventually turn into skin cancer.
• Premature aging – UV damage to your skin can cause structural changes to the collagen beneath your skin, which ultimately results in fine lines and wrinkles.

Repeated unprotected sun exposure can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer as well as premature aging.

Wearing a hat, sunglasses and a daily SPF of 30 or greater that contains zinc and or titanium is the best way to protect your skin from sun damage. For those of us that the damage has already been done or if you’re unhappy with how sun damage has impacted your appearance, there are a variety of cosmetic treatment options available that can help:

• Laser resurfacing (Mixto® laser resurfacing)
• Laser rejuvenation
• IPL photofacial
• Microdermabrasion
• Chemical peel

Contact us to learn more about Mixto Laser resurfacing in .