Photoaging

Photoaging refers to the damage done to skin as a result of lifetime exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Most of the skin changes that occur as we age are accelerated by sun exposure. Skin changes associated with photoaging, also called sun damage, include:

• dark spots
• wrinkles
• droopy skin
• broken blood vessels
• leathery skin

Lessening and Preventing the Effects of Photoaging

As we age, our skin changes and presents new challenges. Cosmetic dermatology & laser treatments offer all patients the ability to achieve healthy, beautiful skin at any age.

Age	Appearance of Skin	Physiology
<15	Perfect skin; smooth sebaceous texture	Excellent repair capabilties; low gland activity; excellent skin hydration
15-25	Acne, fine lines appear; pore size starts to increase	High sebaceous gland activity; mild drop in dermal repair; rapid cell turnover; slight drop in skin hydration
25-45	More fine lines and first wrinkles appear; signs of sagging near the eyes and some loss of elasticity	Less collagen and increasing accumulation of damaged corrective tissue; drop in skin hydration
45-55	More wrinkles, rough texture, sallow yellow complexion begins to appear; sagging near the eyes and cheeks	Continued dermal degradation; cohesion between skin layers continues to decline; thinning of epidermis; skin tends to be dry
55 +	Wrinkles and fine lines in abundance; uneven color; pigmentation; sagging worsens and dark circles under the eyes	Compromised dermal repair; abundance of damaged connective tissue; low production of collagen and sebum; increased production of melanin

Photoaging Treatments at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana

Below is a brief overview of procedures that prevent and correct pre-mature aging. Consult with us to choose the procedure most appropriate to reach your skin care goal.

Sunscreen (30+ SPF)

We are proud to offer high-quality sunscreens to patients from reputable medical-grade skin care companies. These sunscreens offer the best possible protection for your skin type to help prevent sunburns, sun damage (tanning, freckles, and moles) and premature aging by blocking UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays).

Additionally, we sell uniquely designed outwear that can protect against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Wallaroo Hats, developed in Australia, are wide-brimmed hats with UV-blocking capabilities.

Ask us about these products during your next appointment or contact our LASSI Skin aesthetics department for details.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic Therapy is a commonly used treatment for sun-damaged skin, actinic keratoses, refractory acne, and some skin cancers. We use Blu-U with Levulan here at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana as both a preventative measure and a treatment protocol.

Aesthetic Treatments and Home Skin Care Products

Routine chemical peels, facials and skin lightening treatments/products can help reduce the appearance of sun damaged skin such as uneven facial pigmentation, brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles. We offer these non-invasive treatments in our aesthetics department, LASSI Skin. Our team of aestheticians are fully licensed and trained to manage unique skin conditions and are supervised by board-certified dermatologist Dr. C. William Hanke.

Laser Treatments

For sun damaged skin that has progressed further, laser treatments are often prescribed. At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, we utilize DOT Laser therapy and CO2 lasers, among others to even out skin tone and texture issues caused by sun damage. The result is a reduction in pigmentation and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.