Conditions : Cosmetic Dermatology

Sun Damage

Excessive exposure to the sun makes a person look older than he/she really is. Premature wrinkling and skin damage from sun exposure is also called photoaging. Photoaging, unlike natural aging, results in coarse, dry skin, freckling, brown spots (lentigines), skin discoloration, enlarged and/or blood vessels, leathery skin and deep wrinkles.

Photoaging caused by the sun is partially preventable. We recommend SPF 15 for routine sun exposure, and higher if under heavy sun, if in the sun for prolonged periods of time, or if in equatorial climates.

Superficial wrinkles, brown spots and freckles can be improved with over-the-counter and topical prescription creams as well as in-office chemical peels and laser resurfacing treatments. Deeper wrinkles can be improved with filler injections, while forehead lines, frown lines and smile lines all can be treated with Botox injections.