With the weather whipping up a storm it’s easy to forget that this year we have enjoyed the hottest summer on record.
We all feel a little bit better when the sun is shining. Who doesn’t enjoy a carefree day on the beach with family or a barbeque with the friends in the back garden? But are the memories of those long balmy days written all over your face?
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 90% of the signs of skin aging are caused by the sun!
Some of the most common signs of sun damage that I see in my clinic are:
· Dark spots and melasma (grey-brown patches)
· New lines and wrinkles
· Rosacea
· Increased sagging
· Dehydration
We all know that prevention is better than cure when it comes to sun damage, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing you can do to combat the visible signs of ageing, whether caused by sun damage or not.
Here are our top 3 top treatment suggestions to revitalise your skin
Chemical Skin Peel
As we get older our skin’s ability to effectively shed old skin cells reduces and the build-up of dead skin cells can leave the skin looking dull and lacklustre. Sun exposure can make the problem worse. Chemical Peels help to clear away to clear away the top layer of old skin to reveal the younger fresher looking skin beneath. They also stimulate the fibroblasts (cells responsible for generating connective tissue and allowing the skin to recover from damage) deep within the skin to produce new collagen and elastin, which together form the mesh that gives the skin structure, strength and elasticity.
Some people are reluctant to try chemical peels due to the expected downtime after treatment but not all peels have long recovery times. Our Fire & Ice Facial is a ‘no downtime’ treatment. A unique combination of ‘facial’ and ‘peel’, it works to resurface the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and helps it to regain its luxuriant glow.
LED Light Therapy
LED Light Therapy has become increasingly popular as a skin rejuvenation treatment, not least because it is completely non-invasive. Just one treatment your skin can revive a tired and dull complexion.
At Appearance Based Medicine we use the Multi Award winning Dermalux® LED Phototherapy. It uses 3 different light-waves (Red, Near Infra-Red and Blue Light), each of which has very specific skin healing properties. For sun damage, the Red and Near Infra-Red light is particularly effective:
- LED Red Light helps to increase hydration and stimulate circulation in the skin.
- LED Near Infra-Red is the most deeply absorbed wavelength and works effectively with Red Light to help promote the production of collagen, elastin and other growth factors in the skin to help counteract the visible signs of ageing and skin damage. Voted 'Treatment of the Year' for 4 consecutive years, Dermalux® combines clinically proven wavelengths of light with the latest generation LED technology to deliver safe and effective results for a wide range of skin conditions without discomfort or downtime. For more information about the product, take a look at the Dermalux website.
PROFHILO®
As we age and the production of the ‘scaffolding’ proteins of collagen and elastin within our skin starts to reduce, many people find that skin becomes lax and wrinkles appear more visible. The overall texture of our skin is also negatively affected by the physical ageing process, with many people complaining that their skin appears dull, dry and lacklustre. All these issues are made worse or accelerated by exposure to the sun.
Profhilo is designed to tackle these problems through effective skin bio-remodelling, and was awarded the Aesthetics Award for Product Innovation of the Year 2016. Unlike the ordinary dermal fillers, Profhilo makes use of patented technologies that are particularly engineered for skin rejuvenation. Rather than filling your wrinkles, it stimulates natural production of elastin and collagen in your body for skin renewal. The treatment procedure ensures slow release of Hyaluronic acid in the body. The key benefits are:
- Improves your skin’s texture, tone, hydration and radiance
- Skin retains its natural firmness and elasticity, making it appear softer and healthier
- Makes your face appear fuller with a tightening and lifting affect
Why not have a look at our July blog to find out more.
A Final Tip
Whatever you decide to do, if you are not already using a face cream with sun protection, start now and use it all year round. Make sure that you chose a cream with both UVA and UVB protection. Whilst UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn, UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the dermis. Unprotected exposure can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkling, and suppression of the immune system. Unlike UVB rays, UVA rays can penetrate clouds and glass so present a risk all year round.
Not all creams are created equal so choose carefully. SPF (sun protection factor) provides the simplest measure of how good a cream is in protecting against sunburn. The SPF rating only refers to how well the sun cream protects against UVB Rays, not UVA. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends an SPF of 30 as a minimum. The UVA protection is shown through a star system. On any sun cream packaging you should see a UVA star rating from zero to five. Now this is where it gets a little tricky! The rating refers to the protection offered relative to how well it protects against UVB. So five-star UVA protection might not be all that great if the SPF is very low. For adequate protection, aim for an SPF of 30 and a star rating of four or five to ensure protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
I recommend iS Clinical’s Extreme Protect SPF 30, which not only provides you with the protection you need but also provides the latest in anti-aging technology. Click on the link to see more details.
A great cream will not only help to prevent further damage but will also ensure that you get the most from any treatment you may choose.
To find out more contact us here. Or call us directly on 01628 303020 or 0800 87 66 322 to book your skin consultation at our Marlow clinic to discuss what treatments would work best for you.
Clare McLoughlin RGN INP
About Clare.
Clare McLoughlin has been a general nurse since 1988 and is an Independent Nurse Prescriber and advanced procedure aesthetic nurse and trainer with over 19 years’ experience in the aesthetic field. As a recognised aesthetic trainer, Clare is known for her professional approach and skill in the field of aesthetics and has appeared on a number of television programmes performing injectable aesthetic treatments. Clare started Appearance Based Medicine in 2004, to enable her to provide the highest level of patient care and satisfaction. As well as training other Healthcare professionals in this field, Clare is a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) and British Association of Sclerotherapists (BAS) and is recently published in Aesthetics Journal.
