Visible signs of aging like dark spots and fine lines share a common root cause – unprotected sun exposure over a lifetime. Dermatologists agree that photodamage from the sun can cause up to 80% to 90% of visible aging, particularly for people who have very fair or sensitive skin. At Aesthetic Anti-Aging Center in Macon, GA, we know that some energy-based treatments, like phototherapy treatments, can restore your youthful appearance.
Interestingly, one of the best treatments to reverse the signs of photoaging is phototherapy, which can essentially reset the appearance of your skin cells through light and heat exposure. For example, one of the most effective phototherapy treatments is LHE MicroPhototherapy from the Radiancy Facial Skin Care Device. These treatments are gentle, yet highly effective for improving the signs of visible aging.
What Are the Benefits of Phototherapy Treatments?
Several benefits are associated with the gentle power of phototherapy treatments. For example, these treatments are highly customizable, which means the power of your treatment can be scaled up or down to suit your skin tone, type, and concerns. This makes the treatment compatible for many different people, including those who have sensitive skin. Some other benefits include:
Soften Fine Lines
This treatment is an excellent choice if you want to soften the appearance of fine lines. Fine lines are generally formed when the collagen level in the skin starts to decrease as part of the natural aging process. For many people, collagen is produced less in the skin during their 30s, and over time, this will change the volume of your skin. When your skin has less volume, the skin surface will start to fold in on itself to create fine lines and wrinkles.
The appearance of fine lines can be corrected when the skin can produce more collagen and elastin from the deepest sub-dermal layers. Collagen is well-known to increase the volume of skin while elastin can enhance skin elasticity, meaning the skin will become firmer and more likely to “bounce back”. When the level of collagen and elastin is higher in the skin, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles will become less noticeable, even on areas such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Decrease Enlarged Pores
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is responsible for wound healing – and to a certain extent, the behavior of your pores is also determined by collagen. Throughout your life, the pores on your skin will be filled with natural sebum, oxidized oil and dead skin cells (blackheads), or even acne, which will stress the follicle wall of the pore and may cause inflammation; because collagen is used during wound healing, more collagen may be directed to inflamed pores, which will cause pores to heal larger than normal.
There are very few treatments that can effectively shrink the size of the pores. The most effective treatments to decrease the size of your pores are generally energy-based treatments that can stimulate collagen production. As your skin increases collagen around enlarged pores, the shape or appearance of these pores will be corrected.
Improve Texture and Tone
The tone and texture of your skin are prone to change for a variety of reasons, including various skin conditions and photoaging. When people talk about uneven skin tone and skin texture, they are generally referring to superficial problems such as dark spots, redness, blemishes, rough skin, or dry skin. While the tone and texture of your skin should be relatively the same all over your face, things like oil production or skin irritation can change the appearance of your skin in localized areas.
The best fix for uneven skin tone and texture that isn’t responsive to skincare products is to use aesthetic treatments such as phototherapy. Light energy from the FSD treatment device during LHE MicroPhototherapy will penetrate the skin cells and fundamentally alter their behavior. In general, this means that your skin cells will be encouraged to turn over more rapidly so unblemished skin cells can be revealed more quickly and your superficial concerns will fade away.
Enhance Product Absorption
Skincare products of all kinds absorb better when your skin is smooth and even. This is because skin that is free of dead skin cells will allow products to penetrate your skin in an even layer. By getting better product absorption from your skincare routine, the active ingredients you use will work and perform better to maintain the appearance of your skin or promote better skin health.
This can be especially important if you are treating skin concerns such as dryness, fine lines, or uneven tone. The products used to treat these concerns generally contain high concentrations of vitamins, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and peptides for the betterment of your skin health. However, these products also work best when no excess dead skin cells are blocking the path to your skin. Many patients notice an improvement in the performance of their skincare products when they use phototherapy treatments.
More Even Cosmetic Application
Similar to the way skincare products are better absorbed by the skin that is free of dead skin cells, you will also benefit from better cosmetic application when you use phototherapy treatments. You can think of this concept as the difference between applying a product on something as smooth as a balloon to applying a product on something as rough as tree bark; the product applied on the balloon will simply look better and more even. Additionally, because this treatment will improve other areas of your skin, you may even need fewer cosmetics in the long run.
Non-Invasive and Non-Surgical
Apart from all the different superficial skin concerns phototherapy treatments can address, these treatments also have the benefit of being non-invasive and non-surgical. Many patients who opt for laser treatments do so because they are trying to avoid plastic surgery or highly invasive techniques that may scar their skin. A treatment like LHE MicroPhototherapy is powerful, yet gentle, and can resurface and restore the skin without causing any damage to the skin.
An additional benefit of non-invasive and non-surgical treatments is the fact that there will be no recovery period. As soon as your treatment is complete, you will be able to return to work and most of your other daily activities. The biggest restriction you will have after a laser treatment is to avoid direct unprotected exposure to the sun, which can be done by wearing SPF 40 or higher when you plan to be outside.
Gradual and Natural Looking Results
The results of laser treatments are generally gradual and natural-looking. This is because it will likely take several consecutive treatments to achieve your desired results. Over several months, your skin will be rejuvenated gradually, with each treatment producing better results until your desired aesthetic goals are achieved. The results will also appear natural because your rejuvenation will be done by using your body’s natural collagen production to the best advantage.
The number of treatments you will require will depend on several factors, such as your age, the condition of your skin, and your aesthetic goals. Most people will need at least one to three treatments to achieve their desired results. If your skin concerns are particularly advanced, you may be advised to have additional treatments until you reach your goals.
Long-Lasting Results
The results of your treatment will also last for several months. Although temporary, the collagen produced with this treatment will last for a long time, usually over six months or more depending on how well you take care of your skin after your treatment. To have the longest-lasting results possible, it’s generally recommended that you have maintenance sessions once every six weeks for at least four months to encourage further collagen maturation.
Who Are Good Candidates?
While this treatment is highly effective for most people, some people may not be qualified for this treatment. For example, people who are pregnant, people who are taking certain medications and antibiotics within the last four weeks, people using Accutane within the last six months, and people who are taking steroids for any reason within the last three months will need to delay their treatment. A consultation will be able to determine if this treatment is an ideal match for your needs.
Reverse Photodamage With Phototherapy Treatments
The sun can cause your skin a lot of problems, but specialized laser treatments can go a long way to reversing the signs of visible aging. From softening fine lines to allowing for better product absorption, LHE MicroPhototherapy is an ideal treatment option for most people. Please contact Aesthetic Anti-Aging Center in Macon, GA to schedule your consultation today.
