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Understanding the Damaging Effects of Sun on Your Skin

Ildikó Juhasz • July 5, 2021

Getting out in the sun feels great, and in most cases, it’s essential for your physical and mental wellbeing. But the harsh reality is that overexposure to sunlight can cause havoc on your skin. In fact, sun-damaged skin is one of the leading causes of premature ageing and skin cancer.

It’s important to know exactly how sun exposure can affect your skin, and how you can use cosmetic procedures to alleviate or reduce these effects. This is why we’re going to explain the three most damaging superficial effects that the sun can have on your skin.

Sun Damage

Wrinkles:  

When it comes to the sun’s effects on your skin, the first thought that probably comes to mind is wrinkles. Many of us are told at a young age to wear sunscreen whenever we’re in the sun for too long, or we’ll reach our 30s looking like we’re in our 50s!

While that may be an exaggeration, the effect of UV rays on your wrinkles and fine lines is not. According to the medical journal, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology , UV (Ultraviolet) rays are responsible for around 80% of skin ageing, including wrinkles. 

Long-term sun exposure leads to an accelerated breakdown of collagen in the dermis, and collagen is the most important protein for keeping skin tight, strong, and elastic. As collagen deteriorates faster in the body, wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin occur prematurely. 

Age Spots:

Age spots , also known as liver spots, are dark, flat patches of skin that occur in areas that see prolonged sun exposure. You may not know it, but they are the direct result of sun damage.

These spots are caused by overactive pigment cells in the body, known as melanin. UV speeds up the production of melanin in the skin. Over years, melanin pigment will become highly concentrated in certain areas, which leads to sunspots.

Melasma:

Also known as chloasma, melasma is a skin condition that predominantly affects women and is similar to age spots . Melasma causes grey or brown patches to develop on the skin, and on the face in particular. 

It occurs when a person’s melanocytes, the cells which produce melanin, begin to malfunction and produce too much colour. Though the exact causes are unknown, it is believed to be exacerbated by prolonged sun exposure. 

Treatment Options

Thankfully, there are a variety of cosmetic options that can treat these skin conditions, essentially reversing the damaging effects of sun exposure. 

Mesotherapy for Wrinkles

This treatment uses ‘micro-injections,’ i.e tiny needles, to inject vitamins and peptides into your skin. Peptides are amino acid chains that form helpful proteins like collagen and elastin, two essential proteins that construct your firm, youthful skin and maintain elasticity. 

Over time, the production of these proteins begins to break down, resulting in sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Mesotherapy is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for skin rejuvenation, as it increases collagen production and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Limelight Laser for Age Spots

Limelight laser is a non-invasive, anti-redness laser treatment that uses medical-grade laser technology to reduce rosacea, broken capillaries, and irregular pigmentation. These lasers target hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, to destroy blood vessels. 

It takes between one and three sessions to see a significant reduction in the appearance of your age spots , but the results will be dramatic and long-lasting.

Picosure Rejuvenation for Melasma

Here we have a multi-purpose, short-blast laser used to treat a variety of skin conditions including melasma, acne, wrinkles, and tattoo removal. Picosure rejuvenation triggers collagen and elastin production, which helps to heal, renew, and rejuvenate skin. It can also resolve skin discoloration and is one of the foremost melasma treatments on the market. 

Results will vary depending on each person’s condition. But within two or three Picosure treatment sessions you will see noticeable pigmentation reduction.

If you are suffering from any of these sun-damaged skin issues, you may want to consider one of these treatments. At Derm.ca, our certified laser specialists and dermatologists provide a wide range of reliable and effective cosmetic treatments for your skin woes. To find more information or book a consultation, call us at 403-202-4038 or visit our website .

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At-a-Glance Profound® RF is a non-surgical treatment that can effectively treat sagging jowls, neck tightening, and double chin reduction. This treatment uses radiofrequency energy and microneedling to stimulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production, achieving great results with only one treatment. Known for improving skin elasticity and texture, Profound delivers visually noticeable, natural-looking results. Most patients achieve significant improvements with just one session and minimal recovery time. Clinically backed for long-lasting effects, it is an appealing non-surgical alternative to facelifts. At Derm.ca , Calgary's premier dermatology clinic led by board certified dermatologist Dr Alanen and laser clinician Ildiko Juahasz, we regularly hear from patients seeking effective solutions for skin laxity without surgery. If you've been considering treatment for sagging jowls, neck laxity or submental fullness (double chin), Profound® RF offers a scientifically-proven alternative to traditional facelifts, delivering beautiful results and a more defined jawline. What is Profound® RF? Think of Profound as a breakthrough in skin rejuvenation - offering the results you want without the surgery you don't. Unlike traditional facelifts that require extensive surgery and recovery time, this innovative treatment takes a different approach with different results. It is still not considered as a facelift treatment. This procedure is a non-surgical treatment designed to rejuvenate the skin and combat signs of aging. It offers a less invasive approach. This treatment is especially effective for individuals looking to treat sagging jowls, tighten the neck, and reduce the appearance of a double chin. What makes this treatment truly special? It's the first device that combines two powerful technologies - microneedling and radiofrequency energy - in a precise, controlled way, penetrating the deepest level of your skin. It offers a more intense treatment compared to other RF devices. This innovative combination stimulates and induces the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which are essential for maintaining youthful, healthy skin. Additionally, it is FDA-cleared for facial treatments and delivers results in just one session, setting it apart from other devices, with immediate results, while the final results can take up to a full year to develop. How Profound Works Knowing how Profound works can help you understand its advantages. The procedure uses radiofrequency energy and microneedling to focus on the deeper layers of the skin. This mix is essential to getting the results you want without needing surgery. At Derm.ca , the procedure is conducted in our state-of-the-art dermatology clinic, typically taking about two hours and administered under local anesthesia for comfort. Merging Radiofrequency with Microneedling This procedure stands out by intelligently combining radiofrequency energy with microneedling, creating a double-action approach. The microneedles go into the skin, which lets the radiofrequency energy get to the dermal layer. This action encourages the body to heal itself naturally, which makes more collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Think of these components as your skin's natural support system: Collagen : Your skin's foundation, providing structure and firmness Elastin : Your skin's natural elastic band, giving it the ability to bounce back Hyaluronic Acid : Your skin's internal moisturizer, keeping it hydrated and plump Here's how the combined action of radiofrequency and microneedling rejuvenates your skin: Deep layers of the skin are heated by radiofrequency energy , which stimulates collagen production. Controlled micro-injuries are created by microneedling , activating the body's natural healing process. These combined techniques improve the skin's texture , elasticity , especially in the jowls, deep wrinkles around the mouth, and areas of volume loss in the mid and lower face, while also improving firmness . Control of Precision and Temperature At Derm.ca , what truly sets Profound apart is our commitment to precision and safety. Each treatment is performed and carefully calibrated by Ildiko Juhasz, Director of Cosmetic Medicine and Laser Clinician, to meet your specific needs. This procedure shines due to its precise and customized application. The treatment uses a computer-assisted system that carefully manages the depth, temperature, and duration, ensuring that every session is tailored for optimal results. This level of control means the radiofrequency energy is delivered exactly where it’s needed, maximizing effectiveness while keeping side effects to a minimum. During the treatment, thermally regulated radiofrequency needles gently reach the deeper layers of the skin, promoting natural skin tightening and lifting. This process provides an effective alternative to traditional facelifts, with much less downtime. Boosting Collagen, Elastin, and Hyaluronic Acid Profound is unique in its capacity to boost the natural production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid—key elements that support skin health and resilience. As the skin makes more of these vital components, the treatment tightens the skin, improves elasticity, and restores moisture for a rejuvenated appearance. Increased collagen and elastin help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a firmer, more youthful look. The added boost of hyaluronic acid maintains hydration, contributing to a radiant, plump complexion. Results unfold progressively, with improvements typically becoming noticeable within a few weeks and continuing to develop over six to nine months. Clinical studies have shown that the effects are both steady and lasting, providing patients with significant, long-term benefits. What to Expect from a Profound Treatment Your journey with this procedure at Derm.ca follows a clear, structured path designed for optimal results. Here's what you can expect every step of the way: Preparing for Your Treatment Before your treatment day, you'll have a comprehensive consultation with our expert Ildiko Juahsz . This is a thorough assessment where we: Evaluate your skin's current condition Discuss your specific concerns and goals Create a customized treatment plan Answer all your questions about the procedure The Treatment Experience On treatment day, here's what happens: Arrival at our Calgary dermatology clinic Application of numbing cream for your comfort Local anesthesia administration The actual treatment (approximately 2 hours) After Your Treatment The non-surgical treatment generally comes with minimal downtime, and recovery is typically straightforward, with most patients experiencing: Bruising, swelling for 5-7 days Ability to return to work within 7-9 days Clearance to apply makeup after 48 hours For optimal protection and to maintain results, using a broad-spectrum sunblock with SPF 30+ for at least one month is recommended. Results Timeline While everyone's healing journey is unique, here's a typical timeline for results: Weeks 1-2: Initial healing phase Weeks 3-4: Skin begins feeling firmer Months 2-3: Noticeable improvements in skin quality Months 6-12 : Final results become visible Clinical studies show a single Profound® RF treatment achieves a 100% response rate for deep wrinkles and tissue loss, with 95% of patients seeing improved skin laxity within six months. Before & After See the transformative effects of Profound® RF with these real-life before and after images, showcasing firmer, more youthful-looking skin. 
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