Until the practice of aesthetics and cosmetic dermatology arrived, many of us had to rely upon cosmetic counter advice for warding off the effects of aging skin. Today, with a simple plan and a little effort, looking older than you feel is just not necessary! You are likely to live longer than any generations before you. Prematurely damaging your pretty face should be the last thing you want to do.

Well it’s cold outside… so put your sunscreen away until Spring break. Not so fast, Freckles! Sunscreen is needed all year round even if you’re not constantly exposed to the elements. Sunscreen should be applied to any area that is exposed to the environment - face, neck, ears, hands, and especially to those fabulous bald heads. And don’t think you’ve got it made in the shade once you jump in the car. Amazingly, 50 percent of damaging UV rays can penetrate a car windshield, during summer and winter!

Stay with me now…here comes the anatomy lesson. The skin is a barrier that protects our internal organs from the external, sometimes hostile environment. Consisting of three distinct layers, the skin is the largest sensory organ of the body. The outermost layer, the epidermis, has a layer of dead cells that we shed every few weeks. The middle layer, the dermis, is saturated with blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands and collagen, and is responsible for the thickness of the skin. The dermis plays a considerable role in the cosmetic appearance of the skin as we age. In addition to physical protection and sensation the skin is responsible for many other messages to the brain, temperature regulation, and vitamin D synthesis.

Now, for a word from your mirror… It is usually in the third decade when skin changes begin to appear on the face. These changes are often characterized by an increase in wrinkling, uneven skin pigmentation and a loss of facial volume. Just as the wrinkles and freckles are becoming more prominent, a loss of tone and elasticity is occurring as well. Why do these changes occur? We know with certainty that the skin ages due to a lifetime of accumulated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. UVB rays, known as the burning rays, penetrate the outermost layers of the skin and are primarily responsible for sunburns. UVA rays, however, penetrate into the deeper layers of skin and are the major source of premature skin aging and skin cancer. UVA rays do not cause an initial redness to the skin; therefore, exposure to UVA rays often occurs when one least expects it. For instance, UVA rays can penetrate through glass and shade. So exposure occurs while driving, sitting indoors near a window, staying outside on a cloudy day, or even while enjoying some time under a shady tree. Sun exposure was shown to cause 80 percent of facial aging according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most importantly extensive sun damage is also the primary cause for skin cancer.

Okay, so hopefully I’ve convinced you that your skin is worthy of some consideration. But is there hope for the skin you have already damaged? Yes. There are prescription and non-prescription products available for the treatment of damaged skin. In a preventive-aging medical practice, we use many of the medical procedures that are available for skin repair and rejuvenation. With advanced tools such as cosmetic laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), microdermabrasion, chemical peel, tissue filler and botox, we can eliminate the cosmetic effects of age spots, broken blood vessels and discoloration, fill in skin defects and reduce wrinkles in the face. For some, the removal of these age markers is a wonderful way to stop the clock, while for others it is simply an effect way to help their confidence and spirit to shine through. The best part is that with expert application you can get the results that you desire with little or no downtime.