How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage

Posted on April 16, 2023June 15, 2023 by sujay taore

How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage

Sun protection is essential to maintaining healthy skin and preventing skin problems. Too much exposure to the sun can cause various issues, some of which can lead to irreversible damage. We’ve put together a handy guide to help you understand the dangers of too much sun on your skin. Discover how to protect your skin from sun damage below.

How does the sun damage skin?

The sun produces ultraviolet rays, which can be harmful to our skin. UV rays aren’t visible to the human eye but can penetrate the skin and cause issues. Two types of UV rays can harm your skin: UVA rays and UVB rays.

UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and can cause premature ageing, wrinkles, and age spots. UVB rays penetrate the outer layer of the skin, causing sunburn. These rays can damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that can cause skin cancer.

How can I prevent sun damage to my skin?

The best way to protect your skin from sun damage is to wear SPF sunscreen on your face and body every day. It is recommended that you wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, but 50+ is preferable. Sun protection is needed not only on sunny days but on cloudy days and during winter, as UV rays can still penetrate the clouds and cause damage. You should apply sunscreen after you put on moisturiser and before you put makeup on. Be sure to get your neck and ears, as these areas are easy to forget!

Try to avoid being in the sun during peak UV hours, which in New Zealand are between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you need to be out and about during this time, wear sunglasses and a hat to shade exposed skin.

My skin is sun damaged – how do I take care of it?

There are several signs of sun damage you should look out for. These include:

Many treatments are available to get your skin back to its best. The team at Avana can help you figure out how to treat your skin safely and effectively. We offer services such as chemical peels, laser to remove the damaged outer layer of skin, and other methods to improve the appearance of sun damage.

Book your sun damage treatment day

It's essential to be aware of these signs of sun damage and take steps to protect your skin, such as wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. If you notice any changes in your skin, speak with a dermatologist to determine the cause, and get appropriate treatment. If you have experienced sun damage and are looking to treat it, the team at Avana can help; our specialist consultants have over 25 years of experience. Get in touch today to learn more about our treatments and book your appointment.

What are the Different Types of Acne and Acne Scars?

Posted on April 16, 2023June 16, 2023 by sujay taore

What are the Different Types of Acne and Acne Scars?

Acne is an unfortunate part of life that everyone will experience at some point. If you want to treat your acne and the scars it leaves behind, it's important to know the different types of acne. What works for one type of acne may not work for another.

We've created a guide to the different types of acne and acne scars to help you identify and specifically treat the issues with your skin. Read on to learn more!

The Different Types of Acne

Acne can look different to every person. Identifying the different types of acne will help you determine the cause and the best way to treat it. We have outlined a few of the most common acne types and their causes.

Whiteheads

Whiteheads are what people tend to think of when they think of acne. They are small round bumps that develop under the skin with a white or yellowish top (the head).

Whiteheads form when a pore gets clogged by dead skin cells and sebum, an oily substance the body produces to keep skin hydrated. When a thin layer of skin grows over the blocked pore, it becomes inflamed and turns into a whitehead. While it can be tempting, avoid popping whiteheads if you can. Popping can spread bacteria to other parts of the face and cause future scarring.

Blackheads

Blackheads are also a result of pores blocked by dead skin cells and sebum. However, unlike whiteheads, they remain open. The exposure to oxygen is what causes the material in the pore to darken. Blackheads are relatively easy to treat, and they don't get inflamed like other acne.

Papules

Papules occur when clogging in a pore builds up until the pressure ruptures the walls of the pore, spreading bacteria to the surrounding area. Your immune system reacts to the bacteria by sending white blood cells to fight infection, which causes inflammation and redness.

Pustules

Pustules are like papules; however, the immune response causes them to fill with pus, causing them to be more inflamed and redder than papules. While they look like whiteheads, pustules are often identifiable due to their redness and swelling.

Nodules

Nodules are a more severe type of acne and often leave scars. Nodular acne forms large, hard bumps underneath the skin. These bumps are often very painful as they form deeper under the skin and can be very difficult to treat.

The Different Types of Acne Scars

Along with the acne itself, acne scars are a concern for many people. Some people may successfully treat their acne, but scars can remain. Below we explore some of the different types of acne scars.

Ice-pick Scars

Ice-pick scars look like small, deep holes pierced by something sharp, like an ice-pick. These scars result from deep infection, which destroys skin tissue, such as nodular acne.

Boxcar Scars

Boxcar acne scars are pitted depressions in the skin caused by the loss of collagen due to inflammatory acne.

Rolling Scars

Long-term inflammatory acne can lead to rolling acne scars. Rolling scars bring a wavy unevenness to the skin's surface. Rolling scars become more obvious the older you get as your skin loses its natural elasticity.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common scars that people experience after acne. Unlike the other types of scarring, hyperpigmentation doesn't affect the skin's texture. Hyperpigmentation is a discolouration left on the skin where the acne was.

Treating Acne and Scarring

There are many different treatments available for acne. A good skincare routine is enough for some people to keep their skin looking clear. However, for more severe acne, you may require more intense treatments. Cosmetic treatments such as laser treatments, microdermabrasion, or chemical peel target deep and severe acne in a way that at-home treatments can't.

Acne scars are a little more complicated to treat than active acne, and they will require professional help to resolve. Laser or collagen treatments can be effective. Always talk to a dermatologist or skincare professional before getting any treatments done.

Get Glowing Skin with Avana

If you are struggling with acne or acne scars, Avana Cosmetics and Laser Clinics offer a huge range of treatments to achieve glowing skin and boost confidence. Our specialist consultants have over 25 years of experience in the industry. Get in touch today to discuss which treatment option is best for you.

What Causes Uneven Skin Tone?

Posted on April 15, 2023June 16, 2023 by sujay taore

What Causes Uneven Skin Tone?

Uneven skin tone is a common skin concern that many people experience. Genetics, sun exposure, hormonal changes, and lifestyle habits can all cause issues with skin tone. In this blog post, we will explore what causes irregular skin tone and how to prevent or treat it.

Genetics

One of the leading causes of uneven skin tone is genetics. If you have a family history of hyperpigmentation or skin discolouration, you are more likely to experience it. This type of skin tone issue is often more challenging to treat, but there are still ways to improve the appearance of your skin. For example, skin-brightening products containing ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide can help reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Sun exposure

Exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays is another common cause of uneven skin tone. When you expose your skin to the sun, it produces melanin, which gives it its colour. However, too much sun exposure can cause an overproduction of melanin, leading to dark spots and irregular skin tone. Avoid spending too much time in direct sunlight to prevent this. Wearing sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days, is also essential. For more sun safe advice, take a look here.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes can cause problems with skin tone, particularly in women. For example, pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal birth control can all affect melanin production in the skin, leading to discolouration. It's important to use skincare products that contain ingredients like retinol or glycolic acid, which can help even out your skin tone.

Acne scars

Acne scars are another common cause of uneven skin tone. When you have a pimple, the skin around it can become inflamed, leading to discolouration after it has healed. It's important to avoid picking or popping your pimples, as this can cause further inflammation and scarring. If you already have acne scars, treatments are available to help improve the appearance of your skin, such as chemical peels or laser therapy.

Lifestyle habits

Finally, certain lifestyle habits can also cause issues with skin tone. For example, smoking can cause a decrease in blood flow to the skin, leading to a dull, uneven complexion. Alcohol consumption can also cause dehydration, making your skin appear dry and patchy. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, avoiding smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption, can prevent this. These habits can also prevent other skin conditions, such as enlarged pores.

Treat your skin with Avana today

Now that you know what causes uneven skin tone, you can take the steps to prevent it. Following the right prevention and treatment methods can help you achieve a more even, radiant complexion. Avana offers access to the best quality cosmetic treatments to help you feel confident in your skin. We use the smartest technologies and proven techniques to treat a range of skin conditions.

Need to treat uneven skin tone? Get in touch with Avana today to learn more about our FDA-approved treatments; we have a dedicated team of experienced and qualified consultants ready to help.

Author: sujay taore