As temperatures go up, we turn to the beach for relief from the sweltering days of summer. However, soaking up the sun for extended periods of time can cause long lasting damage to your skin. Excessive sun exposure can accelerate the signs of aging and make you vulnerable to developing certain kinds of cancer. Sunburns can also be quite a painful experience as your skin peels and blisters as it attempts to heal itself. In order to protect your skin, it is absolutely essential to wear sun protection when you are outdoors. Of course, I recognize that not all sun exposure is inherently bad for you. After all, our skin has the unique ability to convert UVB rays into a form of Vitamin D. Vitamin D isn’t readily available in most diets, and our bodies use it to strengthen bones and boost immunity.
If you have developed a sunburn, we recommend treating the burns immediately. As soon as you recognize that your skin feels painful and irritated, you should get out of the sun and apply a cold compress to the affected areas. After waiting for a few minutes, apply an over the counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce swelling and inflammation. Over the next few days, keep your body hydrated with plenty of fluids and apply aloe vera directly onto the skin to soothe sunburned areas.
Following the combination of these steps will help alleviate the pain and irritation associated with sunburns. However, if you develop a sunburn, the true damage to the skin may not be visible immediately. Sun spots occur when melanin accumulates just underneath the skin surface, and over time it rises to the topmost layers of the skin.
IPL is one way you can treat the patches of brown discoloration caused by the sun. This therapy works by directing light energy at the unwanted pigment and it dramatically improves the clarity of your skin.
Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles specializes in Botox and Fillers injections, laser hair removal and IPL among many other services. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com to schedule a free consultation.
