Cosmetic medicine
Rough texture, pigment spots, and redness from cumulative UV—repair with SPF, lasers, and peels.
Ultraviolet radiation causes elastosis (leathery texture), solar lentigines, and broken blood vessels. Tanning beds intensify risk. Health Canada sun safety emphasizes prevention as the foundation of any treatment plan.
Photoaging is cumulative—starting protection today still benefits long-term appearance.
Lifetime sun exposure, outdoor occupation, fair skin phototypes, and tanning behavior drive changes. Smoking and pollution add oxidative stress.
Broad-band light (IPL) targets reds and browns; fractional lasers improve texture; chemical peels exfoliate photodamaged layers; prescription retinoids support cell turnover at home.
Plans are staged—treating pigment before aggressive resurfacing sometimes reduces side-effect risk.
Clarity improves over weeks to months; maintenance requires daily sunscreen and sometimes antioxidant serums. Melasma overlap needs special caution—heat and light can flare pigment.
Not always—melasma is hormonally influenced and heat-sensitive. Diagnosis changes device and topical choices.
Recent tan increases burn and pigment risk—your clinician may delay treatment until skin returns to baseline tone.
New UV exposure can create new spots—sun habits determine longevity of results.