Can wrinkles from sun damage be reversed?
Many readers ask whether sun-worn skin can go back to how it was. The reading below comes from one source and ends with steps for a visit in Saline, Michigan.
Short answer: some signs, not all
www.aad.org states: "Treatments that can give you younger-looking skin While much of the damage is permanent, treatment can reduce some signs of sun damage that are making you look older."
What the passage tells you
It makes two points. Much of the damage is permanent, and treatment can reduce some signs of it. The goal to bring to an appointment is reducing what bothers you, not undoing years of sun.
Steps to take
- List the signs of sun damage that bother you most.
- Ask the clinician which of those signs treatment can reduce on your skin.
- Ask which signs are unlikely to change.
- Ask for the options in writing so you can compare them at home.
If color changes worry you too
Wrinkles are one sign among several. For pigment changes, the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia has an entry on abnormally dark or light skin. The site www.aad.org covers melasma in diagnosis and treatment and in a page on self-care.
Who to ask if the wording is unclear
Ask the clinician to define "permanent" and "reduce" for your skin. Those two words decide what result to expect.