As board-certified plastic surgeons and skin cancer experts, we know that the most important thing you can do to preserve your skin’s youthful appearance is applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day of the year, rain or shine. It’s hard to believe, but most of the lines, wrinkles and age spots you see are the direct result of sun damage, not the natural aging process.
To help you preserve your youthful complexion, it’s time to arm yourself with the facts about skin health. For starters, here are a few myths about the sun that we’d like to dispel ASAP.
Myth #1: Tanning is a healthy way to get color.
You don’t have to get a sunburn to damage your skin from the sun. Any bit of “color” or “glow” you get is a sign of sun damage. Despite what Grandma says, there’s no such thing as “healthy” color (unless you’re talking about bronzer, of course).
Myth #2: You can’t undo sun damage.
Yes, you CAN correct sun damaged skin, even from years past, with professional skin rejuvenation treatments! We offer a wide range of treatments, including radiofrequency energy, intense pulsed light (IPL) photofacials, microneedling, and laser skin resurfacing, all of which help to reveal a renewed complexion. Professional skin rejuvenation treatments trigger your skin’s natural healing response, removing old, damaged skin cells while stimulating healthy new collagen and elastin growth. The result is fresh, healthy new skin with diminished signs of sun damage. For optimal results, we recommend a series of treatments and maintenance treatments as needed.
Myth #3: Everyone looks better with “color.”
This age-old myth persists despite years of clinical research identifying UV exposure as the top cause of skin cancer. If you think you look better with a tan, try spray tanning, apply bronzer, or wear lotions that gradually build artificial yet natural-looking color on your body or face. We have so many wonderful options for achieving that sun-kissed look without the sun, there’s simply no excuse for damaging your skin.
Keep in mind that sunscreen lowers your risk of skin cancer and also helps you maintain the results of your surgical or laser skin treatments. This month, we are presenting a lecture on skin cancer at Syracuse University! To learn more, please call 315.663.0112 or request a skin care consultation online today.
