Skin changes are a natural part of aging. Adding excessive sun exposure to the mix, however, is like pushing the gas pedal on the process. In fact, the sun may be to blame for 80% of visible skin aging, as well as other types of skin damage.
If you’re annoyed by signs of sun damage on your skin, consider microneedling. This minimally invasive treatment relies on your skin’s natural healing mechanisms to create a healthier look.
At our offices in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and Rye, New York, Robert Schwarcz, MD, and his team provide microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to help you feel more confident about your appearance.
Whenever you spend time in the sun without skin protection, ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation penetrate your skin. As a result, the sun causes photodamage and photoaging, or the premature aging of your skin. Sun lamps and tanning beds pose the same risks.
Sun damage can fuel a range of common skin complaints, such as:
Excessive UV exposure also increases your risk for precancerous lesions. It’s responsible for 90% of skin cancers.
Microneedling creates tiny wounds in your skin, which stimulates your skin’s natural healing processes – like creating more collagen and elastin. These proteins, which diminish with age, help keep your skin supple and smooth.
The needles are inserted using a handheld device. Beforehand, your provider applies a numbing agent on your skin to keep you comfortable.
By incorporating PRP, which uses your own blood to create a solution rich with platelets, you can expect even more skin-enhancing benefits. (PRP microneedling is also known as a vampire facial.)
Depending on the state of your skin, you may need a series of treatments over the course of several weeks. From there, maximum benefits may take 3-6 months to appear.
To make the most of your microneedling results for sun-damaged skin, always protect your skin with a broad spectrum sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, or shade when you’re outdoors. In particular, practice caution when the sun is highest in the sky, or typically between 11am and 3pm in North America.
Routine facials, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding or quitting smoking can benefit your skin as well.
We also offer Morpheus 8, which pairs microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy to target deeper layers of the skin.
If you’re bothered by your sun-damaged skin, we’d love to help. If you have questions about microneedling with PRP or you’re ready to get started, contact Robert Schwarcz, MD, today.
