Skin Tips for Summer

Skin Tips for Summer from Local Doctor

Ryan Dodde II, Plastic Surgery Arts of West Michigan

The best tip to keep your skin looking young is to avoid the sun, but for wrinkles and other signs of aging you may already have there are many treatment options available.  For more information, contact Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ryan Dodde II of Plastic Surgery Arts of West Michigan.

Skin Dangers and Treatments

Our skin ages as we grow older.  From adulthood to old age is when we see the most changes.  Many changes can be seen on you face.  This includes:

  • Thinning of skin
  • Darkening of skin (age spots)
  • Pronunciation of crow’s feet and other wrinkles
  • Leathery look to skin’s appearance

As aging skin is a natural part of life, there are many factors that worsen or even speed up your skin’s aging process.  The best thing that can be done is not reversal, but prevention.  If you already have skin damage, though, there are many treatments available to improve the look of your skin and recapture a more youthful image.

Components of Aging

As we age, the process of skin production breaks down, which means less collagen and elastin (fibers found in the skin that provide elasticity and durability).  Aging is not the only factor contributing to damaged skin.  While it is impossible to completely avoid hazards to skin, there are most certainly things of which can be avoided.  This includes:

  • Sun exposure- The sun and UV rays from tanning beds are one of the most dangerous elements to skin. Harmful UV rays can cause wrinkles, pigmentation, and can even lead to skin cancer.
  • Smoking- It’s no secret that smoking tobacco is harmful for your body inside and out. Not only does it cause serious, chronic health conditions, it also causes yellowing of the skin and breaks down collagen, making skin look tired, lifeless, and wrinkly.
  • Stress- Stress is also bad for skin and can exacerbate existing conditions like rosacea and acne.
  • Lack of sleep- It’s called “beauty sleep” for a reason! Rest helps skin rejuvenate, and if you aren’t getting enough sleep, it’ll show in your appearance.

Prevent Aging Skin

The number one way to prevent aging skin is to avoid the sun.  It’s estimated that about 80% of all age-related changes are from UV exposure.  It’s important to try to limit exposure by using sunscreen- even if you aren’t planning on being outside too much.  Other tips include:

  • If you currently smoke, stop smoking
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Follow a healthy diet
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Use a skin moisturizer

It’s vital to take care of your skin on a daily basis.  Moisturizing skin is one of the keys to success when it comes to aging.  Keeping your skin moisturized allows for your skin to absorb and retain moisture, helping to prevent some of the harsher effects of aging.

Treatments for Aging Skin

If your aging skin symptoms are minor, Vitamin C, alpha hydroxyl acid, and retinoids are all good options to battle the effects of aging.  However, if you experience more advanced signs of aging or damage to your skin, there are some more options to consider:

  • Chemical peel- Chemical peels are a strong exfoliate to remove the dead layers of skin and reveal brighter, fresh skin.
  • Dermabrasion- Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are used to refinish the skin’s top layers. Dermabrasion is a more thorough process than microdermabrasion, and helps to improve the appearance of scars (including acne scars).  Microdermabrasion is best used for correcting brown spots and age spots.
  • Laser Skin Resurfacing- this uses a state-of-the-art laser to remove the top layers of your skin to reduce wrinkles, blemishes, and acne scars.
  • Botox– These injections help to improve severe creases caused by aging skin.
  • Dermal Fillers- Dermal Fillers use hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring compound produced in the body, and is used to fill in wrinkles and fine lines
  • Collagen Injections- while similar to dermal fillers, collagen injections are implanted into your face to fill in wrinkles, fine lines, and deep creases.

For more questions or a consultation, please visit Dr. Dodde at Plastic Surgery Arts of West Michigan in Holland!  For more information, visit our blog page.