It’s the hottest time of the year again in the Philippines. Summertime is just around the corner and this is the time to show off your skin. This also means that your skin is more prone to sun damage and discoloration due to prolonged exposure to the sun. So how do we protect our skin and be confident in showing it off at the same time? Here are a couple of tips to get you started.
The most basic rule in protecting your skin from the sun is to always wear sunblock. Sunblock with SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB radiation which plays a key role in development of skin cancer. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and refers to the amount of time you can stay under the sun without getting sunburned. Sunblocks with additional UVA protection is even better. UVA penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB and has long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling. Having sunblock with a high SPF does not mean that you should shy away from caution. When you’re out in the sun, bring an umbrella or try to go under a shade for better protection. It always pays to take extra precaution.
According to Dr. Maria Cricelda Rescober of Skin House Beauty and Laser Clinic, prolonged exposure to the sun causes our skin to produce melanin in order to protect itself. However, as a result, dark spots such as melasma, freckles, and acne marks are some of the pigmentation problems that may occur. Melasma are brown to gray-brown patches that are typically located on sun-exposed areas of the face like the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. The pathogenesis is poorly understood but sun exposure, hormones, and genetics are important causative factors. Acne, after healing, may also leave unsightly marks, which can also be exacerbated by sun exposure.
Although prevention is always better than cure, there are still solutions to these kinds of pigmentations.
The most affordable would be application of whitening products (or hypopigmenting agents) that contain arbutin, kojic acid, azelaic acid, and tretinoin, which when applied religiously under a dermatologist’s supervision, will help improve or lighten the discoloration. This is usually the first line of treatment that most patients consider but is less likely to show immediate results.
Another treatment option is diamond microdermabrasion. Another term for this is diamond peel which can be done every two weeks. Together with Skin House’s Signature facial – pimples, blackheads and whiteheads can be prevented – whilst scars, open pores, wrinkles and fine lines are greatly reduced or lightened. The cost for diamond peel using Pristine (an award winning brand) starts at P800 per session.
One treatment commonly done, but is not advised especially now that the sun is extra hot and damaging to the skin, is skin peeling. Chemical peel involves the application of an exfoliating agent to slough off the superficial layer of the skin, which is usually discolored or pigmented. The interval between the sessions is spaced two to four weeks apart, followed by a check up by the dermatologist. This treatment should only be done by a dermatologist to prevent untoward reactions or complications such as persistent redness, rebound hyperpigmentation, and worst, scarring. The value of skin peeling starts at P1,800 per session.
Patients who want effective treatment without downtime can try Revlite. It is a top-of-the-line laser machine that targets and breaks down pigmentations like freckles, melasma, birthmarks, and dark underarms using photoacoustic technology (PTP). The number of sessions to achieve optimal results vary but improvement may be appreciated after 6 to 8 sessions. Depending on how the skin will react to the treatment, this can go as high as 12 sessions or more. We have seen great results using Revlite and have before-and-after photos to show for it. Treatment price starts at P1,750 per session for a small area.
Those who can spare about a week or two of downtime can try ablative lasers like Fractional CO2 that treats not only pigmentation but the deep acne scars as well. Patients with previous cystic acne would prefer Fractional CO2 to treat the pocked marks and deep scars left behind by the years of suffering acne.
At the end of the day, it’s about choosing what’s right for you – your lifestyle, budget and available time – with the help of our associate dermatologist.
Now that you know how to manage your skin concerns, always look amazingly gorgeous not only this coming summer, but all year round with our scientifically-proven services at affordable rates here at Skin House Beauty and Laser Clinic.
Only go to a board certified dermatologist and see the big difference.
We are located at Quezon City 0917.8987546 or 02.254.3987 and Pasig 0917.829.0990 or 02.5424106