Put Your Best Face Forward
Though the official start of autumn is not for another month, this week marks the end of summer for many of us. The post-Labor Day back-to-work, back-to-school mindset begins in earnest after next weekend and with it comes a little reflection on how the summer went.
Did it go too quickly? Did I relax enough? Not relax enough? Check off everything on my do-it-this-summer list?
If you spent some time on the beach, it may also be the time to assess how your skin handled the sun. You may be noticing a few more dark spots on your face and body–hyperpigmentation, we call it. Whether brown or black, large or small, these spots and freckles can appear anywhere, often on your face, chest, arms and hands. The sun’s UV rays can cause these marks to crop up, even after one day. Natural aging is also a culprit.
To reduce sunspots, freckles, age/liver spots, which are usually small and flat, we offer treatments of Fraxel Dual Laser, Intense Pulsed Light and Diolite.
Other types of hyperpigmentation can emerge, too, at all times of year. These are due to different triggers, and we have treatments for all of them. Take a look below at which type you may have…
Melasma: Look for light to medium brown discoloration, usually on the cheeks, sides of your face, upper nose, forehead and lips. You may see splotchy patches in irregular sizes and shapes. Often, melasma appears when you are pregnant or have just gone through childbirth (it’s sometimes called “The Mask of Pregnancy”). A hormone surge during these times can cause the changes in your skin. Combined with excessive sun exposure, the effects may be pronounced.
Our treatment: Fraxel Dual Laser
PIH: Look for flat pink, red or brown spots on the face. If you’ve had inflammatory acne, you may be prone to this sort of hyperpigmentation.
Our treatment: Light salicylic acid chemical peels
Facial Blood Vessels: Vascular lesions, commonly called “spider veins” are extra blood vessels that are superficially located in the skin. Often, the skin of cheeks, chin and forehead appear red.
Our treatment: Diolite, IPL
Our best advice for minimizing spots is to stay clear of the sun and wear sunscreen–and more sunscreen–every time that you go out, even in the upcoming weeks and through the fall.
For a specialized treatment plan, call our office for a complimentary consultation.
