Every summer, countless studies and surveys show that lots of us feel that a great tan makes us look better and covers up certain flaws not the least of which is weight gain. It’s no wonder then that so many of us are suffering from sun damage. And many of us are and don’t even know it because sun damage begins beneath the skin’s surface. It only becomes visible after it’s made its mark as uneven skin tone, fine lines and sun spots. If you’re one of the many who are already seeing signs of sun damage here are a few treatments options you may find helpful.

Lycopene, the carotenoid pigment that makes tomatoes red, becomes depleted in skin that is exposed to ultraviolet light. This suggests that lycopene gets called up to protect the skin while you’re baking in the sun or tanning in a booth. Studies show that lycopene is not only effective against further sun damage, but may help repair present damage by boosting the skin’s ability to detect and fight sun damage.

Many dermatologists say that sun damage is irreversible, but some cosmetic companies are providing studies with results that suggest the decrease in sun damage as seen in scans of the deep layers of the skin. In clinical trials, a number of antioxidants, including vitamins E and C, rosemary extract, and pine bark extract have been found to be capable of protecting against free radical stress caused by sunlight which results in visible signs of aging.  

Tretinoin creams and gels have also been documented as reversing sun damage. Tretinoin smoothes skin by thickening the epidermis as well as the dermis. Researchers are reporting that if this product is used over many month or years there can be a visible reduction in the wrinkling and fine lines that are caused by sun damage.

Tazarotene is the newest product shown to work in the fight to reverse chronic sun damage or photo aging. It is a retinoid or a vitamin A product that was initially used to treat psoriasis. It is also effective in the treatment of acne.

If you’re willing to go all the way with your treatment, laser surgery is still an option for treating sun damaged skin. While the use of dermabrasion has decreased primarily due to the long and painful recovery period, it is still useful in removing skin that has been damaged. Laser surgery mechanically peels off the skin surface with a metallic rotating instrument. The treated skin is then supported as it heals. Another form of laser surgery called laser brasion essentially vaporizes the skin in very thin layers. This procedure produces less heat damage to the skin, resulting in a more superficial layer of damage and a faster recovery.

As laser surgery advances, new laser treatments for sun damage are also becoming available. Non-Ablative Laser Surgery is a new treatment that involves the use of a broad-spectrum intense pulse light or laser, which is used repeatedly on the skin. It heats the dermis and encourages collagen production. It can also minimize some of the redness from broken blood vessels and diminish the hyper-pigmentation caused by sun damage.

Pulse Dye lasers that are commonly used for treating red birthmarks or rosacea are also effective in the treatment of sun damaged skin. They too heat the skin to increase collagen and smooth the skin.

Related Articles
	3 Sun Facts You Should Know Knowing how to use sun care products like sunscreen and sun block are now common knowledge. The threat of skin cancer is also another fact of life that many people acknowledge when it comes to having too much fun in the sun without protection. But there may be a few sun facts that people either   ...Read more		How to Reverse Sun Damage and Reveal Beautiful Skin If reversing sun damage was easy, quick and painless, no one would have photodamaged skin! Although there is no "magic bullet," you can prevent further sun damage and reverse some of what you already have. With skin care, prevention is often the best medicine. To slow down the skin’s aging   ...Read more