Sun Damage

Sun Damage intro

With over half a million procedures undertaken, you're in safe hands

Everyone is aware that a lack of protection against the sun can cause damage to the skin. Quite how much damage, however, still remains quite a shock to many that come through the doors of Harley Street Skin. This is because often a lot of sun damage is not visible to the naked eye until it becomes quite severe, manifesting in symptoms such as premature wrinkling, excessive dryness, broken capillaries, age spots and hyperpigmentation.

As with most things: prevention is better than cure, and whilst sun damage can be improved upon, it is much better (and safer) to prevent it. Why do you think that even the sun himself has got his hat on?

What is Sun Damage?

The root of the cause...

Sun damage is caused by UV rays. These rays (both UVA and UVB) are emitted by the sun, and cause a reaction in the skin.

The reaction at work here is the skin's instinctual response to UV radiation. Once UV rays begin hitting the epidermis, they trigger an influx of cells called melanocytes which produce melanin. Melanin is what is responsible for giving the skin its pigment: the more melanin in the skin - the darker the skin will appear.

Everybody loves to do a spot of sunbathing on their holidays, but what is really going on during the tanning process - biologically speaking- is that the skin is becoming darker in order to shield itself from UV rays. Essentially, melanin acts like a pair of sunglasses to the body's largest organ - the skin. This defence mechanism is not only responsible for pesky skin peeling after particularly bad sunburn - the body working to remove the irreparably damaged cells - but also all of those visible blood vessels and broken capillaries.

UV rays are also harmful to crucial structures within the skin, sometimes even causing long-term changes to certain proteins such as the youthful fibers elastin and collagen. This is what leads to premature sagging and stretching.

How Can I treat Sun Damage?

With a wealth of treatments, designed just for you...

There are a variety of options available for treating the signs of sun damage, and this will entirely depend on which symptoms you feel you are presenting. For example, those suffering with pigment problems and more superficial damage such as general discolouring, fine lines, hyperpigmentation or age spots, will find that Chemical Peels or Dermaroller can provide fantastic improvements.

Those who are more at the mercy of redness or broken capillaries will find that light therapies such as IPL and PDT provide solace, creating micro injury to the deeper layers of skin and helping to stimulate fresh, healthy cells for a clearer complexion. Alternatively, for more substantial damage, such as accelerated skin wrinkling or sagging, you may consider skin-tightening treatments such as Pelleve.

Even bespoke Skincare Plans or courses of nourishing Facials can be best practise for those experiencing intense dehydration. There are many, many options at our disposal.

Whatever your sun damage concerns, you can book in for a free of charge consultation to assess your skin, in depth, with a professional. Make sure to ask about our VISIA analysis tool - a digital device for taking high quality images under the microscope!