Treatment of sun-damaged skin begins with avoiding the sun or at least minimizing sun exposure. Sunscreens help prevent the skin from burning, but it is important to remember that even the strongest sunscreens cannot completely prevent the damage caused by the sun.
The Vitamin A deficiency caused by solar radiation can be compensated with vitamin A creams.
Retinoic acid (tretinoin) helps to restore and improve the skin. The challenge is that tretinoin can irritate the skin, causing redness and tingling. Retinyl palmitate is a derivative of vitamin A that irritates less and is converted in the skin into tretinoin, producing the same cellular effects as retinoic acid itself.
Sensitivity to vitamin A follows a Gaussian curve: some people are very sensitive to vitamin A creams, while others tolerate even very strong formulations, with most people falling between these two extremes. Therefore, treatment is started with very mild vitamin A creams and, depending on the skin’s reaction, stronger creams can gradually be introduced step by step. Redness and mild irritation indicate that the maximum strength has been reached and it is time to step back one level. In general, significant sun exposure requires slightly stronger creams.
As sun-damaged, thinned skin, begins to recover, the absorption of creams may decrease, and additional treatments can help improve absorption.
Different microneedling devices can create tiny channels in the skin through which active ingredients are absorbed. It is sufficient that the needles penetrate the thin outer layer of the skin, which means that even very short and painless needles are enough. It is important that only scientifically tested products are applied to the skin, not random ingredients with unclear or potentially harmful effects. The microchannels close within 24 hours and are so small that they do not leave scars.
To improve absorption, professional cosmetic treatments such as heat, iontophoresis, or ultrasound treatments may be helpful. Heat expands the skin’s pores and improves absorption. Iontophoresis uses electric current to deliver electrically charged substances into the skin, while ultrasound improves absorption through cavitation.
Surgery does not replace good skin care, but good skin care helps maintain the results of surgical procedures for as long as possible. I have successfully used Environ skin care products for my patients for over 25 years.
And finally: the skin also needs sufficient moisturizing creams to remain elastic and healthy.
— Asko Salmi
MD, PhD, plastic surgeon. Sairaala KL / Christinas Clinic.
