How Can Laser Treatments and Eyelid Surgery Help You With Sun Damage?
Posted August 12, 2019 in Blepharoplasty, Laser Treatments
Most men and women have sun damage on their face and neck. The likelihood of this is even higher in the Miami area where we spend so much time outdoors. The sun damages the skin by causing free radicals to form, damaging the elastin in your skin. Elastin is a vital protein that helps give your skin its strength and elasticity. Exposure to UV rays not only leads to premature fine lines and wrinkles, but it also causes the development of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
While the prevention of sun damage is challenging (since sun damage accumulates continually starting when we are young), cosmetic procedures can combat its adverse effects. Two of these procedures are laser treatments and surgical blepharoplasty.
How Does Laser Treatments Address Sun Damage?
Laser or RF treatments uses heat and laser energy to treat hyperpigmentation and age spots. This energy penetrates deep into the pigmented or damaged skin and heats the tissue. This heat is absorbed by the pigment cells, which destroys them. These non-surgical treatments help with both tone and texture of the skin.
How Does Blepharoplasty Address Sun Damage?
Unlike laser treatments, blepharoplasty cannot improve the skin tone or texture. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is appropriate for patients whose sun damage has manifested in the way of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyelids. Even though this treatment will not address brown or red spots, it is a useful option for aged and sun-damaged skin. Exposure to UV rays causes the tissues and proteins in the skin to break down more rapidly than they would from the aging process alone. This causes the premature formation of lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Blepharoplasty is performed on the eyelids to remove excess skin and reposition or remove the fat pockets responsible for droopy upper eyelids or crow’s feet beside the eye.
Are There Additional Surgical Procedures That Can Help?
Blepharoplasty addresses fine lines and wrinkles on the upper and lower eyelids. The eyes, however, are not the only facial areas that are at risk of suffering damage. Over-exposure to the sun can also cause wrinkles in the mid-face and lower region of the face. Facelift surgery restores youthful contours to the lower two-thirds and can be performed alongside blepharoplasty. This procedure removes sagging skin, tightens underlying tissues, and redrapes the skin to reveal smoother facial contours.
Can You Combine Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures?
Patients that exhibit both age spots and wrinkles can benefit from both lasers and a surgical procedure. While these treatments can work together to create a brighter and more youthful complexion, they cannot be performed at the same time. Your laser or RF treatment must be completed before your surgical procedure or after you have completely healed from your blepharoplasty or facelift.
How Should You Maintain Your Results?
While all of these procedures will help your sun damage, the results will not be lasting or permanent if your skin is not protected. These treatments will address the sun damage present at the time of the procedure, but additional damage can occur. Patients must protect their skin at all times by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, and protecting their skin with sunglasses or hats whenever possible. Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated will also help extend the longevity of your results.
Contact Us Today!
If you are tired of your sun-damaged complexion, contact Careaga Plastic Surgery by calling (305) 960-7511 or by filling out our online contact form. Our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Careaga and Dr. Durand, and board-certified physician assistant, Reanna Myers, are ready to help restore a rejuvenated complexion.