Laser treatments Charlotte

As people age, they often become more and more concerned with the visible signs of aging. Fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and other problems can make us look older. As people live longer and healthier lives, many are concerned that they look much older than they feel.

Although it may seem that the visible signs of aging are entirely caused by the ravages of time, the truth is a little bit different than some people imagine. 

Studies show that 80% of visible aging is explained by sun exposure

A very interesting study demonstrated that about 80% of visible aging is actually caused by damage from the sun. A group of highly trained experts rated specific visible signs of aging in photographs of women, including the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation spots. The ratings were then compared with women’s history, including sun exposure.

The aim of the study was to determine how strongly sun exposure predicts how much visible aging a woman has. It turned out that most of the visible aging was related to sun exposure. The authors concluded that “UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible facial aging signs.” This doesn’t mean that someone with no sun exposure wouldn’t age at all; of course, they would, but it would happen much more slowly.

It’s worth noting that this study was performed specifically on Caucasian women. Those with darker skin tones may be somewhat more protected from the effects of sun damage, although it’s still very important to protect your skin from the sun, no matter what color it may be. Studies have shown that sunscreen helps to protect against aging due to the sun, so it’s a good idea to be as diligent as you can about using sunscreen, especially on your face. Even if you don’t get a sunburn without sunscreen, it could still be aging you.

Did you experience sun damage this summer? Facelift, peels, laser treatments Charlotte

Over the summer, most people are exposed to quite a bit more sunlight than during the rest of the year. Of course, all of us want to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather when we can. However, you might find that it’s left you with some lingering sun damage on your skin.

We offer a variety of treatments that may help to address this issue. Laser treatments are effective at rejuvenating the skin; traditional lasers require significant downtime for recovery, but the CoolPeel laser that we use in our office can offer many of the benefits without the downtime of traditional lasers. As another option, a chemical peel can remove the outer layer of damaged skin to reveal healthier skin underneath, leading to facial rejuvenation. For those who have more significant signs of facial aging, a facelift is also an option. To learn more about any of these options, or to get a professional opinion about whether any of these options might benefit you, please contact our office at 704-896-5556 for a personalized consultation appointment.