July 2021

reversing the advance of skin damage from time in the sunjuly 21 2021 61bcc9b7e9845 1024x640 1

Reversing The Advance Of Skin Damage From Time In The Sun

Sun damage can be an unsightly and embarrassing situation. Embracing the sun is an excellent way for our bodies to produce vitamin D and other nutrients from the sun’s UV rays, but when careless, it always comes with some consequence. The powerful rays of the sun can lead to wrinkles, dark spots, and other forms of skin discoloration that can make you look and feel older than you are. Spending time in the sun can harm your skin over time, but once the damage is done, can it truly be reversed? Some experts believe that while not all sun damage will be able to disappear completely, there are ways to protect your skin and prevent further sun damage over time.

How Sun Damage Is Long Term

Sun damage often occurs during childhood, when children and adolescents would play out in the sunshine for long periods without much of an emphasis on sunscreen. Sun damage often develops over time and can take years for its side effects to develop fully. The initial burn and tan from the sun are considered to be the first sign of sun damage. Also referred to as sun aging or photoaging, the sun’s UV rays prematurely damage the skin down to the cellular level, and because it happens at the deepest layer of the skin, it can take years for that damage to develop.

Sun damage can cause freckles, moles, uneven tone complexion, and excessively dry skin. All of these side effects are the result of DNA-altering damage that persists for years. Studies from Yale University found that sunlight damage can continue to affect your skin even beyond staying indoors as the damage from the UV rays can linger beyond first exposure. This damage is also known to be a major cause of skin cancer and can lead to an overproduction of melanin which then leads to dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Having these variances in skin tone and texture can increase your risk for certain diseases, and one of the best ways to avoid sun damage is to use preventative measures to protect your skin from UV damage.

Tips To Prevent Sun Damage During Summer

We highly recommend seeking treatment from a dermatologist or a facial plastic surgeon to help address these issues with skin tone and texture and help prevent the onset of skin cancer. However, there are many ways you can prevent skin damage during the summer. Some tips that can be used to treat sun damage include:

  • Wear Sunscreen: As one of the best preventative measures, wearing sunscreen above 30 SPF will be able to reduce the amount of UV ray damage and prevent any further damage from happening.
  • Chemical Peels: Chemical peels can provide ways of removing dead skin cells from the upper layers of the skin, helping produce collagen and revitalize skin growth.
  • Skin-lightening Creams: For dark age spots, products containing hydroquinone can lighten these spots and remove them completely.
  • Retinoid Creams: Retinoid creams aim to remove wrinkles and speed up the shedding process of dead skin cells.
  • Laser Therapy: Laser therapy uses short pulses of concentrated light to remove layers of skin and reveal fresh, newer layers of skin underneath.

For more information about treating sun damage, visiting your dermatologist or facial surgeon can provide you with more effective ways of treating this damage and protecting yourself from skin cancer.

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Discover How Getting a Breast Reduction Can Improve Quality of Life

While one of the most discussed procedures sought from plastic surgeons is breast enhancement, it is rivaled by the desire for breast reductions. Also referred to as a reduction mammoplasty, this procedure reduces the size and weight of the breast by eliminating excess tissue, skin, and fat. Breast reduction surgery is often sought by those seeking to reduce related complications, such as back pain, or for aesthetic reasons. In some cases, breasts can be large enough to impact the ability to engage in certain physical activities or to find clothes that fit well.

Reasons Why Women Might Seek Out Breast Reduction

Breasts that are significant in size can account for a large amount of additional strain on the shoulders, back, and chest of the patient. Complications arising from this additional strain can range from merely inconvenient to life-altering. Among the problems faced by those in need of breast reduction surgery include:

  • Neck, shoulder, and back pain that requires treatment with medication
  • Skin irritation or chronic rashes found under the breasts
  • Neuropathy
  • Limitations on physical activity
  • Self-image issues based on breast size
  • Difficulty finding clothing that fits

All of these can be the result of large breasts and can have significant impacts on the quality of life of the patient. Large breasts can occur as part of natural development or may occur due to weight gain or raising children. However, breast reduction surgery should be avoided by those who:

  • Engage in tobacco use
  • Have heart problems, diabetes, or other health concerns
  • Are significantly overweight
  • Are concerned about scarring on their breasts
  • Intend to have children later in life
  • Intend on losing significant weight in the future

Those who do not find themselves included on the above list may determine it’s time to speak to their cosmetic surgeon about treatment. The reasons each patient opts to get a breast reduction are as varied as the patients who opt to get them.

What To Expect As Part Of Your Breast Reduction Surgery

When you first decide to investigate the possibility of getting a breast reduction, you’ll likely want to consider the potential risks. While the procedure is fairly routine and is generally performed without serious complications, there are some to consider. The following risks are associated with breast reduction treatments.

  • Temporary Bruising
  • Scarring
  • Sensation loss in the nipple or surrounding skin
  • Nipple Removal
  • Trouble breastfeeding
  • Variances in symmetry, size, or shape of the breasts

When the time comes to consider your reduction, you’ll undergo a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon. During this stage, you’ll undergo a standard exam, and the following steps may occur:

  • Overall health assessment
  • Medical history evaluation
  • Benefits, risks, and potential complication of the procedure
  • Photographs of your breasts for your records
  • Explanation of anesthesia that may be used during surgery

The procedure itself will involve the use of general anesthesia to render you unconscious throughout. In most instances, the surgeon will make an incision around your areola and down the underside of each breast. This incision will be used to remove breast tissue, skin, and fat to achieve the desired size. This is followed by the reshaping of the breast and repositioning of both the areola and the nipple. The particular details of your procedure will be discussed with you by your surgeon.

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