When you are a teenager or in the twenties, what if your appearance makes you look like thirties or older? It is the signs of ageing that make you look older than you really are.
Why we age before our time?
What do you think the reason might be?
Believe it or not, 80% of facial ageing is due to UV exposure and is referred to as photoaging. Photoaging is skin damage or premature aging of the skin. It caused due to prolonged exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from the sun or from artificial UV sources.
Skin is made up of three layers epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The dermis layer contains proteins which include collagen, elastin and other important fibers which gives strength and elasticity to the skin and are responsible for smoothness and youthful appearance of the skin when these important proteins get damaged due to UV radiation that leads to photoaging.
Early Signs Of Photoaging
Now you might have got a clear picture of what photoaging is? If you are prone to photoaging you might notice below signs:
- Wrinkles
- Sagging skin (inelasticity)
- Dark spots or age spots
- A yellowish tone to the skin
- Leathery feel to the skin
- Mottled pigmentation
- Easy bruising of the skin
- Broken blood vessels
Treatment For Photoaging
Vitamin A products like retinol and Retin A are the standard treatment options for mild to moderate photoaging. OTC medication may be effective, but Retin A and Differin are much more concentrated. They help to reduce wrinkles, particularly facial wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Retinoids work on the cells, but it takes months to get desired results.
Some other dermatological treatments of photoaging such as light-based technologies which include photodynamic therapy, intense pulsed light, and laser therapy are also effective.
Photodynamic Therapy: This therapy involves applying a light-sensitizing medication on the affected skin. After the medicine penetrated into the skin, the area is exposed to a light to activate the medication. It boosts the growth of collagen, which gives a youthful appearance to the skin.
Intense Pulsed Light: This light therapy technique is efficient in reducing the appearance of uneven pigmentation.
Laser Therapy: It can treat various skin problems and depend on the wavelength of light that used on the skin. The wavelengths are different for treating problems like minimizing blood vessels, reducing wrinkles, treating age spots, removing hair, etc.
To maintain smooth and healthy skin, you should be cautious with UV radiation from the sun. However, for those who had already been exposed to the sun frequently in years past, Padma Clinic providing treatments that can reduce age-related skin issues. Remember, adverse skin defects can also lead to skin cancer. Book an appointment to meet our top dermatologists in Hyderabad.