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Repairing Sun-Damaged Skin and Addressing Hyperpigmentation

WAUSAU, Wis. – Summer in Wisconsin is brief, but the effects of sun exposure can be long-lasting. The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun. This damage not only accelerates aging, leading to wrinkles, age spots, and loss of skin elasticity, but it can also contribute to hyperpigmentation—an overproduction of melanin that causes uneven skin tone and dark patches.
 
Katrina Mattek, Physician Assistant at Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, explains: "Using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing is essential, but it’s not always enough to prevent sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Fortunately, there are many ways to help repair and rejuvenate your skin after the summer months."
 
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin damage, or oxidative stress to the skin cells, caused by the sun can also lead to wrinkles, age spots/discoloration, and loose skin due to loss of collagen and elasticity. Over the summer, the build-up of dead skin cells can noticeably change the appearance of our skin.
 
Aspirus and AAD suggest the following tips to help repair your skin this fall:
 

  • Get started on a basic skin care routine. Washing your face twice daily, using an exfoliating product and a toner can significantly improve your skin appearance and health.
  • To combat oxidative stress from the sun, an antioxidant Vitamin C product can help repair damaged skin and prevent future damage. Vitamin C can help brighten skin, even out discoloration, and boost collagen. 
  • In-office procedures: Treatments like chemical peels, dermal infusion, and Broadband Light (BBL) therapy are effective in addressing hyperpigmentation and rejuvenating the skin. BBL therapy targets melanin in the skin, breaking apart excess pigment to improve skin tone and reduce dark spots.
"At Aspirus, we provide skin-repairing procedures and medical-grade skincare products to help you choose the best treatment for your needs," says Katrina. "These treatments can effectively address sun damage and hyperpigmentation, leaving you with a more even and vibrant complexion as you head into the colder months."
For more information about the in-office procedures or skincare products available at Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, visit Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics or call 715.870.2162.
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For more health content, visit the Aspirus Media Center.
 
About Aspirus: Aspirus Health is a nonprofit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin, serving northeastern Minnesota, northern and central Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The health system operates 18 hospitals and 130 outpatient locations with nearly 14,000 team members, including 1,300 employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Learn more at aspirus.org.

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