Sun-Damaged Wrinkles Can Be Treated

Wrinkles that come from sun damage can be treated, and the way a provider describes the treatment tells you a lot about the care behind it. A clear explanation of the method is the first sign of work done properly.

This guide states the published description of laser treatment for sun-damaged skin and turns it into a checklist.

What the standard says

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery states that the technique directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at sun-damaged skin, precisely removing skin layer by layer. The society publishes a page on laser resurfacing for sun-damaged skin if you want to read the full description.

The key word is precisely. A treatment described as removing skin layer by layer should come with a clear account of how much is being removed and where.

A checklist for the consultation

• Which area of sun-damaged skin is being treated?
• How much skin will the laser remove, layer by layer?
• What should the area look like when the treatment is finished?
• How will we judge whether the result is complete?

How dermatologists approach it

The dermatology academy has a page on how dermatologists treat sun-damaged skin. Read it alongside the laser description so you know what other approaches exist before settling on one. The surgeons' society also keeps a general page on sun-damaged skin.

Taking the checklist in

The consultation is where the checklist earns its place. A licensed provider who has examined your skin is the one who confirms whether it fits you. Bring the checklist, and read the society's page on laser therapy for sun-damaged skin first.