We know that we should use sunscreen and stay in the shade, but why? What’s the big deal about getting some sun? Sun damage is the term used to describe the skin conditions that result from excess exposure to the sun over time. While sunburns are technically sun damage, they don’t usually require much in the way of immediate treatment.

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As we age, the damage accumulates and results in age spots (hyperpigmentation), dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and the rupture of small blood vessels beneath the skin.

Most of these effects are what is known as photoaging, which is premature aging of the skin caused by exposure to solar radiation over time. Collagen production is reduced and the skin is damaged, making it look older.

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Sun damage is common on the face, hands, and chest. It also appears on the shoulders and back, and any part of the body routinely exposed to too much sun. The visible signs of sun damage are more common in people with light skin, but the sun can damage all types of skin, whether the signs are readily visible or not.

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The Benefits of Sun Damage Treatment

Anyone with sun damage should regularly see their doctor or dermatologist for skin cancer checks. That is where any pre-cancerous damage should be treated. But there are also treatment options to reduce the non-cancer signs of sun damage.

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At U Wellness Medspa, we use INTRAcel technology to treat most sun-damaged skin. The device, which combines microneedling and radio frequency thermal energy, reaches deep layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production. The result is smoother, firmer skin.

INTRAcel also serves as an excellent skin resurfacing tool, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and visible blood vessels. It produces improved skin texture and can be used to tighten the skin.

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Candidates for INTRAcel Sun Damage Treatment

INTRAcel technology is effective on nearly every skin type. At your consultation, we will evaluate your skin and make appropriate treatment recommendations.

Treatment Expectations

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INTRAcel treatments are gentle, minimally invasive, and largely painless. We use a light topical numbing cream before each treatment and most people report only warmth and redness following their procedure. Make-up can be worn after 24 hours.

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We usually schedule a series of three treatments, four to six weeks apart. You’ll start to see changes quickly, sometimes after the first treatment, and improvements will continue for up to six months.