I’m A Reformed Sun Worshipper

Good morning, beautiful friends! I’m Colleen and I’m a reformed sun-worshipper.

Confessions Of A Sun Worshipper

We live in Canada. Summer is short and we want to spend as much time as possible outside relishing this beautiful part of the world that we live in.

I’m not here to blame anyone for enjoying the outdoors. In fact, I spent my teens and twenties worshipping the sun. I know I’m not alone in this. As I progressed into my mid to late 30s, I started to regret this sun-worshipping behavior.

Since starting Profile, I have learned a lot about the different ways to treat sun damage that I’d like to share with you so you can minimize the effects of the sun on your skin.

How Important Is Sunscreen?

You’ve heard it before but I’m going to reiterate, whether you are a sun worshipper or going about your daily activities, wear your sunscreen and make sure it actually covers you for both UVB and UVA rays. For more information please read my blog post on SPF.

The sunscreen that you wear today will protect you from future sun damage, but it won’t change what has been done in the past. 

What Should You Look For In Skin Care?

Even if you get regular medical cosmetics procedures, it is important to maintain these treatment outcomes with high quality and effective skincare products.

I spent my teens and twenties worshipping the sun. I know I’m not alone in this. As I progressed into my mid to late 30s, I started to regret this sun-worshipping behavior.

— Colleen Tower, Profile Medical Cosmetics

Some skincare remedies for pigmentation from photodamage require a prescription. These include hydroquinone or some of the stronger retinoids. There are products with ingredients that do not require a prescription, are extremely effective, but are only available in medical offices.

Certain products designed to treat hyperpigmentation in the skin use Arbutin as the main active ingredient.

Arbutin inhibits the enzyme, tyrosinase, that is responsible for melanin production. Melanin is one of the main ingredients in skin pigment. 

Personally, I’ve been using a series of products containing Arbutin for a month and I’m really starting to see the difference.

Other important ingredients to add to your “pigmentation reduction” skincare routine include vitamin C and lower concentration retinol.

Are Medical-Grade Facials A Better Option?

Medical-grade facials are a great option for brightening the skin. It is important to choose a facial that has ingredients that focus on pigmentation, either by preventing it from happening or by helping it go away. Examples of these ingredients include Vitamin C and Glycolic Acids.

Are Chemical Peels All The Same?

I want you to know that not all chemical peels are created equal.

There are two important considerations to keep in mind when you are choosing a peel: 1) the percentage of the acid used, and 2) the pH of the peel.

You want to be mindful of both of these factors when you decide where you’re getting a peel. 

You have to be a medical clinic to purchase the strongest & most effective peels.

A quality chemical peel penetrates the skin deeply and sloughs off the accumulated dead skin cells. It will also promote the skin’s natural healing and collagen production cycle.

What is A PhotoFacial IPL?

Sometimes called a ‘photofacial’, an IPL or intense pulsed light laser treatment will use a special wavelength to target pigment causing particles such as oxyhemoglobin or melanin.

It is a great option to help rid the skin of dark photodamage pigmentation spots.

Usually, people need 4-6 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart to get the results they are looking for.

Personally, I have done 4 IPL treatments so far and the difference in appearance and quantity of dark spots has been very impressive. 

These are some of the options that exist to help reduce the photodamage and pigmentation in your skin.

If you have any questions or if you’d like more information, don’t hesitate to give us a call.