Did you know that around 90% of skin aging is due to sun exposure?

The sun can really cause so much destruction when it comes to your skin, which is why it is important to ensure that you are regularly repairing sun damaged skin cells in order to keep your skin in its best shape.

Don’t worry, you’re not on your own, the Introlift Medical Spa is here to help with this. With a number of treatments on offer that will target and repair sun damaged skin, Introlift is the place to go if you want to regain your fresh, youthful glow.

LASER SKIN REJUVENATION

The collagen in your skin is what keeps your skin looking smooth and firm. This structural protein is vital when it comes to a youthful complexion.

However, not only does natural collagen production decline with age, but the sun also causes some serious damage to the collagen in your skin. One of the best ways to counter this is to amp up your skin’s natural production of collagen, and this is exactly what Introlift’s Laser Skin Rejuvenation does.

What does the Laser Skin Rejuvenation treatment involve?

It makes use of a Q-Switched Laser to target the cells that lie deep within your skin. The laser emits an energy that stimulates your skin cells to produce collagen, while also speeding up skin cell turnover.

This makes the Laser Skin Rejuvenation treatment ideal for treating dark spots too…

Dark spots and hyperpigmentation are another side effect of over-exposure to the sun. It is caused by the sun triggering your skin into producing more melanin, which is the pigment that gives your skin its color. When your skin produces too much of this, the excess melanin clusters together under certain parts of your skin, resulting in those areas taking on a darker color.

Hyperpigmentation can be really tough to get rid of, but the Laser Skin Rejuvenation treatment can clear about 70% to 90% of dark spots.

Wondering what the treatment actually feels like?

Patients say that the sensation is similar to that of tiny heated dots on the skin, with the treatment being easily tolerable. The fact that there isn’t a recovery time for this treatment makes it even more popular, as you can get back to your usual daily routine immediately after.

BRIGHTENING FACIAL FOR HYPERPIGMENTED SKIN

As mentioned above, dark spots are a common side effect of sun exposure, and are a sign that your skin has been damaged by the sun.

While Introlift’s Laser Skin Rejuvenation is a great way to treat hyperpigmentation, their Brightening Facial for Hyperpigmented Skin is also extremely effective.

Wondering what’s so special about this facial?

It combines three different treatments in one, ensuring that any dark spots are properly targeted.

The facial includes:

  • A light chemical peel – this not only peels away any dullness and roughness on the surface of your skin, but also stimulates your natural skin cell turnover. This enables your skin to shed its darker, discolored cells much faster than it otherwise would have
  • Radio frequency skin tightening – the sun causes so much damage to the elastin in your skin. Just like collagen, this is one of your skin’s main structural proteins, and gives your skin its tightness. The radio frequency skin tightening element of this facial sends heat into your skin to stimulate your skin cells into producing more elastin
  • LED light therapy – LED light therapy is becoming increasingly popular. It makes use of different wavelengths (or colors) of light to bring about various improvements in the skin. It has been proven to be one of the best methods when it comes to targeting the skin at a cellular level, resulting in longer-lasting changes

One more thing you should know about this facial…

It makes use of potent concentrations of a few key ingredients, each one ideal for tackling hyperpigmentation:

  • Kojic Acid – a natural ingredient derived from mushrooms, kojic acid lightens the skin just as well as hydroquinone (a popular skin-lightening chemical), but doesn’t have any of the damaging side effects
  • Vitamin A – effective at speeding up skin cell turnover while providing the skin with a mild exfoliating effect
  • Vitamin C – a fantastic skin brightening ingredient that also heals damaged cells

MICRONEEDLING

You have probably heard of microneedling before, because this treatment has become quite popular over the last few years.

It is also referred to as collagen induction therapy, due to the way in which it is so effective at stimulating the skin’s natural production of collagen.

How does it do this?

Tiny, fine needles are used to create micro-punctures on the skin’s surface. This is done with a device called a derma roller, which looks a bit like a pen and is basically rolled over the skin to create the punctures. This then makes the skin think that it has been injured.

And what does the skin do when it has been injured?

It produces extra collagen in order to heal itself.

The healing process is what microneedling is all about, as this is when the skin rejuvenates itself to quite an extent. Introlift helps to boost this even more by applying a collagen-enhancing serum, as well as a pure hyaluronic acid serum, to the skin after the treatment, both of which help the skin to rejuvenate even better.

In addition to regenerating the collagen that the sun has destroyed, Introlift’s Microneedling treatment also targets:

  • Skin roughness and dullness
  • Sagging and loose skin
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Enlarged pores

Worried that this treatment might be painful?

The idea of having tiny needles piercing your skin doesn’t sound very comfortable, but Introlift always makes use of a local anesthetic before carrying out this treatment. This then numbs the part of your skin that is about to undergo the microneedling, meaning that you won’t feel any pain at all.

When it comes to after-care…

This is quite important because your skin will be even more susceptible to sun damage. It goes without saying that a sunscreen is essential, and you may want to opt for a higher SPF than the one you usually use.

Since your skin is already in quite a vulnerable state, you will also need to be careful about the skin care products you use for a couple of weeks. Stay away from any harsh chemicals and exfoliants, sticking to a rich and protective moisturizer instead. Keeping your skin well-hydrated after Microneedling is key, as this will aid the rejuvenation process.

THE EMATRIX SUBLATIVE REJUVENATION

As mentioned earlier, the sun is responsible for the majority of skin aging, meaning that any fine lines and wrinkles you may be experiencing are likely due to sun damage.

While topical treatments do make a difference, the collagen and elastin in your skin is produced at quite a deep level, and there are not many skin care ingredients that can penetrate to this extent.

Introlift’s Ematrix Sublative Rejuvenation treatment does exactly that – targeting the deeper layers of the skin to increase the amount of collagen and elastin that the skin produces.

How does it actually work?

The treatment makes use of a fractionated bi-polar radio frequency energy. This sends an intense heat deep into the skin, enabling it to stimulate collagen and elastin production.

Don’t worry, this treatment is incredibly specific, meaning that the heat will not damage any other parts of your skin.

This may sound complicated, but the treatment only takes 30 minutes.

Wondering how long you would need to wait until you can see results?

You will likely notice some minor improvements a few days after your treatment, but your skin will continue to improve over the next three to five months.

This is a treatment that can be used by all skin types, even those with sensitivities, making it a great method to treat sun damaged skin.

PIGMENT BALANCING PEEL BY SKINCEUTICALS

Introlift’s Pigment Balancing Peel by Skinceuticals is another treatment that is great for tackling hyperpigmentation and signs of sun damage.

Chemical peels come in varying strengths, and this will have an effect on how much of your skin is actually “peeled” off.

The chemical peel included in Introlift’s Brightening Facial is a light one, meaning that there is minimal downtime.

While that may work for pigmentation nearer to the surface of the skin, a stronger peel is required for dealing with pigmentation that lies deeper within the skin’s layers.

This is where the Pigment Balancing Peel by Skinceuticals comes in…

It makes use of various alpha-hydroxy acids to provide the skin with an intense exfoliation, enabling it to shed its discolored skin cells much faster.

Wondering what the exact ingredients in this peel are?

Some of the star ingredients include:

  • Glycolic Acid (40%) – one of the best ingredients for chemically exfoliating the skin, as well as for treating discoloration, scars and wrinkles
  • Vitamin C (27%) – brightens up the skin and increases collagen production. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, meaning that it helps to neutralize the damaging free radicals that are caused by exposure to the sun
  • Lactic Acid – one of the milder and gentler of alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid is very effective at treating hyperpigmentation. It quickly evens out the skin tone while also reducing the visibility of pores
  • Emblica – also known as the Indian Gooseberry, this botanical is packed with vitamin C, and is known to be able to brighten up the skin while suppressing any pigmentation
  • Kojic Acid – a natural ingredient that is primarily used to lighten the skin, but also provides antimicrobial properties, meaning that it can destroy any harmful bacteria on and in the skin

The fact that the formula for this peel has quite an acidic pH of 1.6 means that it will be able to penetrate quite deeply into the skin, as the skin will readily accept this.

Never had a chemical peel before?

Then you need to know that sun exposure needs to be avoided for two weeks before your peel, as well as for two weeks after.

While some chemical peels have quite a long downtime, Introlift’s Pigment Balancing Peel by Skinceuticals has a minimal downtime, and you will likely be able to get back to your daily routine immediately after.

Of course, after-care is important, especially when your skin is in such a fragile, delicate state.

What does after-care involve?

Avoiding any scrubs, bleaches, waxes, or any other harsh ingredient for a couple of weeks. Making use of a rich moisturizer will also help, as this will keep your skin hydrated, enabling it to heal faster. Adding in a few extra antioxidants will again speed up the skin healing process.

Wondering if there are any side effects to this treatment?

All chemical peels have potential side effects, and these could include:

Mild redness
Temporary swelling
Slight itchiness

For a few days after your peel, you will notice dead skin cells “peeling” off your skin. It may be tempting to remove these yourself, but you should really wait to allow your skin to do this on its own.

Why?

Because removing this prematurely can result in skin infections.

Yes, the peeling skin doesn’t look pretty, but this is why Introlift will advise you to ensure that you don’t have any important appointments or events booked in the week following your treatment.

Unfortunately, this peel isn’t something that everyone can make use of. Certain skin conditions, from rosacea to eczema to sunburn, mean that you wouldn’t be an ideal candidate for this treatment. Again, this is something that the specialists at the Introlift Medical Spa will talk through with you in more detail.

Sun damage accumulates in your skin, so even though it may not seem that bad at the moment, it is only going to get worse. This is why it is so important to take control of your skin and deal with any sun damage early on, as this is the best way to keep your skin in good health, while also keeping the visible signs of aging at bay.

If you have any questions about any of these treatments for sun damaged skin, feel free to get in touch with Introlift and ask away!