The sun is a source of warm, happy feelings all summer long; but it’s also one of the primary instigators for skin damage and premature signs of aging. Wrinkles, uneven texture, dull skin, pigmentation and discolouration can all be advanced by the damage UV rays cause. 

The great news is our skin has an innate resilience and a capability to heal, accelerate cell turnover, and undo a great deal of the damage we all inevitably incur as we enjoy the outdoors.

How do UV rays impact skin damage?

UVA and UVB rays both play different roles in affecting skin health. You know that we vouch for scientifically proven sunscreens with broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage. Repetitive UV exposure can compromise the skin’s ability to repair itself, increasing oxidative stress and exacerbating photoaging and the risk of carcinogenesis.

UVB rays primarily target the skin’s outer layers, causing sunburn and DNA mutations that can ultimately lead to skin cancer, while UVA rays have a deeper penetration that can accelerate the breakdown of skin’s structure and elasticity ––– including elastin and collagen production. 

What treatments can address skin damage from sun exposure?

We live in an incredible time for innovative aesthetic technologies. New treatments can repair, target problems at the source, and work alongside your body’s natural healing processes to accelerate cell turnover and collagen production for healthier, more radiant skin. These treatments are non-invasive, non-surgical, and many of them have results that keep showing up weeks and months following treatment. Pairing in-clinic procedures with the best of medical-grade, transformative skincare is a science-backed way to renew, heal, and target signs of sun damage. 

ExcelV+® laser for pigmentation

Sun spots, pigmentation, and brown spots are common side effects of repeated sun exposure. ExcelV+’s high-precision Q-Switch laser wavelengths are drawn to the melanin in brown spots on your skin. As a result, excess pigment is dissolved without damaging the delicate surrounding tissue. With minimal downtime for recovery, our patients love the way this laser treatment has power over even the most stubborn brown spots. Suffering from rosacea? ExcelV+ also offers a supportive solution to balance out the redness you’re seeing.

A Clear + Brilliant® outcome

This multitasking laser treatment stimulates the body’s natural healing response to kickstart cellular renewal and collagen production while turning over superficial pigmentation. Clear + Brilliant can address concerns like uneven skin tone, wrinkles and lines, and a dull complexion. Unique Optical Tracking® technology allows for a smooth, uniform treatment ––– regardless of skin type. It’s completely customizable, so our skilled providers can tailor each session uniquely for you. Using thousands of microscopic treatment zones, in the upper layers of the dermis, dull, damaged skin is replaced with healthy, happy skin. 

Lift skin and smooth wrinkles with Ultherapy® 

Collagen naturally declines with age which contributes to laxity on the face, neck and chest; Ultherapy effectively promotes and maintains natural collagen production. Focused ultrasound energy heats deep under the skin’s surface to trigger the skin’s natural healing processes and stimulate the generation of new collagen. Skin tightens and lifts over time, enhancing firmness and elasticity, with visible improvements in 3 to 6 months following treatment. The face, neck and chest are often the most compromised areas when it comes to sun exposure, and Ultherapy can be an effective way to smooth wrinkles on the décolleté and neck.

Optimize your treatment results with personalized skincare

Your skin is as unique as you are. Understanding the nuances of your skin type, lifestyle, skincare habits, and history are all part of assessing the products that will work wonders for you. 

This is why Philosophy MD hosts multiple leading brands and supports your skincare journey with medical experts—to bring you options and to help you find the best skincare solutions, completely and uniquely tailored to you. The order of treatments, seasonal changes, and practical elements of your lifestyle all play a part in shaping your personalized routine. Depending on the attributes of your personalized plan, we’ll also pair your treatments with skincare that maximizes the outcomes for ideal results.

Here are a few products particularly suited to photodamage repair:

• An antioxidant like SkinCeuticals® Phloretin CF holds daily preventative, protective and corrective benefits, with an extra edge against pigmentation
• Retinols help accelerate skin healing and cell turnover, working around the clock to exfoliate superficial pigmentation and correct DNA-level skin damage
• A tyrosinase inhibitor like ZO® Brightalive helps prevent new pigment or discolouration from forming
• Brighten blemish-prone skin with Skinceuticals® Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment is a lightweight moisturizer that helps soothe and correct out-of-balance skin to improve brightness, texture, and clarity
• Touch up your complexion while you protect from sun damage with ZO® ‘s powder sunscreen with Triple-Spectrum® protection.

Aspire to a personalized skincare routine.

Whether you’re concerned about pigmentation, dull skin, uneven texture, wrinkles, or other concerns, we’re here to support you with a timeless and natural approach to your skin health. We offer an immersive self-care experience in which our patients feel heard and understood, and leave feeling confident and empowered –– with solutions backed by science, and supported by an award winning team.