Autumn is a time when tans fade and sun damage becomes more apparent; but did you know ALL skin types are susceptible to pigmentation caused by sun exposure?
The sun is one of the major causes of premature skin ageing. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause premature lines and wrinkles as well as sun spots and loss of texture.
It can also cause discoloration, which can spoil the clarity of complexion, looking uneven and perhaps a little unhealthy.
The way pigmentation appears tends to vary depending on a person’s skin type.
Those with lighter skin (types 1-4) are prone to freckles, which are essentially a series of small patches of pigmentation. These may be considered ‘cute’ on a child, but are a sign of sun damage. For adults, freckles tend to enlarge and look ageing.
For patients with darker skin (types 4-6) , the patches of discoloration tend to develop as patches which can be lighter as well as darker, giving the skin an uneven or patchy appearance.
Skin Type Classification
Skin types are classed from 1-6 according to the Fitzpatrick scale. This gives a guide as to what to expect in terms of skin/hair/eye colouration as well as an indication of how the skin responds to the sun
- TYPE 1 –
- White/pale skin, freckles
- Red or blonde hair
- Blue, grey or green eyes
- Burns easily, rarely tans
- TYPE 2 –
- Pale white skin
- Blonde hair
- Blue or brown eyes
- Usually burns, tans gradually
- TYPE 3 –
- Pale to light olive skin
- Brown hair
- Brown or green eyes
- Sometimes burns, average tan
- TYPE 4 –
- Light-moderate brown skin
- Brown or black hair
- Brown eyes
- Rarely burns, tans readily
- TYPE 5 –
- Medium-dark brown skin
- Dark brown or black hair
- Brown eyes
- Very rarely burns, tans easily
- TYPE 6 –
- Black skin
- Black hair
- Dark brown eyes
- Tans/darkens easily, almost never burns
Sun Damage Prevention
There’s no secret as to how to prevent sun damage. The advice is as simple as:
- Wear sun screen daily with a high SPF – whatever your skin type. Some may not have considered sun protection to be important due to their natural skin tone, but lack of sun protection makes pigmentation more likely.
- Stay in or avoid the sun where possible
- Wear a hat or cover up with clothing
If you can’t stay out of the sun, a study by Australian researchers has shown that regular sunscreen use protects the skin against the ageing effects of sun damage, the signs of which include:
- Wrinkling,
- Sun spots
- Loss of elasticity
Surprisingly, these results are the first to prove sunscreen’s anti-aging properties. In the 4-year study, participants that used sunscreen daily were 24% less likely to show increased signs of aging.
Sun Damage – Treatment
If your skin is showing the signs of sun damage, the good news is that there are now options available that can help to reverse pigmentation and other visible signs of premature ageing.
The latest cosmetic and laser treatments offer an array of options that can make a difference to the way the skin looks and feels.
Mulberry House Clinic based in Northamptonshire have the latest laser technology as well as popular cosmetic treatments.
Treatment options for sun damage include:
- Prescription Skincare including ZO Skin Health
- LED treatment
- Laser Treatments including IPL
- Derma FNS Microneedling
- PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy) Tropocells
- Portrait Skin Regeneration using plasma energy
- TIXEL Thermal Fractional Rejuvenation
- Facial Peels for intensive exfoliation
- Microdermabrasion for skin retexturing
- Injections for skin quality
Mulberry House Clinic
Established 2003
Mulberry House Clinic has an excellent reputation in the Northampton area as an independent, doctor-led practice with over 17 years experience. Cosmetic skin treatments are carried out by Dr John Tanqueray, who works closely with leading manufacturers to remain at the forefront of the medical aesthetics.
A private consultation is the starting point for all patients in order to facilitate a full discussion about the desired results as well as detailed facial and skin assessment. Find out more about first consultation.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.
