Photodamage

Just a few things to keep in mind when having your fun in the sun!

- UVA; aging rays
- UVB; burning rays
- If you're going to be outdoors be sure to apply a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or more
- Physical blocks are best; titanium dioxide or zinc oxide -acts like a mirror and deflects sun's rays
- Chemical sunscreens are controversial because of potential toxicity; "absorbs" sun's rays and disperses energy as heat
- The higher the elevation the more intense the sun's rays
- Car windows do not block UVA, only UVB
- Wear sunglasses to protect your peepers!
- Antioxidants (both applied topically and taken internally) help to reduce damaging effects of the sun
- Protect your lips with a chapstick or balm that includes sunscreen
- Many skincare professionals are utilizing the Glogau scale to assess photodamage and decide the best method of treatment or skincare products to incorporate into home-care regimen.

The Glogau Scale
Skin type 1, Mild photoaging
Age (years) Early 20s or 30s
Findings: early pigmentary changes, no keratoses, fine wrinkles

Skin type 2, Moderate photoaging
Age (years) 30s to 40s
Findings: early senile lentigines, no visible keratoses.

Skin type 3, Advanced photoaging
Age (years) 50 plus
Findings: dyschromia and telangiectasia, visible keratoses, wrinkles at rest

Skin type 4, Severe photoaging
Age (years) 60s or 70s
Findings: dynamic and gravitational wrinkling, multiple actinic keratoses.

Suggested therapies based on the Glogau wrinkle scale are as follows:
Type 1
Education, sunscreen, topical antioxidants, tretinoin, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) lotions and superficial peels, microdermabrasion, Botox, photorejuvenation treatments (laser, LED, intense pulsed light)

Type 2
(see Type 1) and/ or combined with medium depth peels (trichloroacetic acid [TCA]), Botox, fillers (collagen, hyaluronic acid), photorejuvenation treatments (laser, intense pulsed light), eye/ brow lift

Type 3
(see Type 2) and/ or combined with minimally invasive neck/ eye/ brow/ face lift and/ or laser
Type 4
(see Type 3) and/ or combined with surgical face-lift