What can I do about extensive sun damage to my skin?

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6 answers to “What can I do about extensive sun...”

A: Several Options

Scott E. Kasden, MD

The first step is to identify what you want to accomplish.  Do you want improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, spider veins, thickened skin, wide pores, etc?  There may be other sun damage that you may not be aware of. Next, get an evaluation.  Where there is sun damage, there is a... more

A: Sun damaged skin

Steven Wallach, MD

There are many ways to treat sun damaged skin, incuding the use of skin care regimens, lasers, etc.  Make sure that you have your skin checked first to rule out and skin cancers, if you have significantly damaged skin.

A: Sun damage is reversible: Risk of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma unclear

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

UVA and UVB light causes skin damage. The long term effects are twofold. The first prbblem is that the sun causes premature skin laxity, discoloration, and loss of elasticity; the second problem is that it can cause precancerous changes that may lead to melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell... more

A: Several options for sun damaged skin are available to you.

Bryan K. Chen, MD

Light chemical peels, intense pulsed light (photofacial), ALA-PDT (aminolevulanic acid-photodynamic therapy), v-beam laser, microdermabrasion are some of the non-ablative procedures that can help.  As far as ablative resurfacing treatments, medium to deep chemical peels, fractionated laser such as... more

A: Go to an excellent plastic surgeon or dermatologist

Richard P. Rand, MD

First of all, there is no point is extensive treatment of your sun damage if you continue to be a sun worshipper.  You just can't treat the skin and then and expose yourself to the sun in repetitive cycles.  Fortunately, if you have made this committment, there are many modalities including lasers,... more

A: Several things.....

John P. Di Saia, MD

Hello, The easiest thing is to start wearing strong sun screens (SPF 30 plus) to limit additional damage. You can also try some facial chemical or laser peels to help remove some of the damage you have accumulated. Retin A is also a good idea. At low strength, it is very well tolerated. If you smoke, quit as... more

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