Most of us know that too much sun exposure is damaging to our skin. You probably read about the many ways it can be harmful to your health on a daily basis. Yet we need the sun’s light for the vitamins that it helps our bodies to produce. It’s easy to feel confused or mislead with so much conflicting information floating around, but  learning how to protect yourself and understanding how much sunlight your body needs is simple.

Vitamin D is important to our skin because it keeps skin cells alive and functioning properly. It is also beneficial because it can help to ward off disorders like psoriasis. The sun helps our skin to produce Vitamin D but this doesn’t mean we need to lay outside for hours at a time. 10 minutes a day in the sun is enough exposure for our bodies to produce a healthy amount.

Of course many times we spend much more than 10 minutes basking in the sun, and at some point most of us will suffer a minor sunburn or sun damage. It happens; sometimes you’re in a hurry and don’t apply sunscreen properly or maybe one time you accidentally forgot it. Fortunately, laser treatments like the V-Beam laser and Fraxel laser are designed to heal damage from the sun and restore your skin back to its healthiest state.

While your skin certainly needs the recommended daily amount of Vitamin D, the most important thing for your skin is to remember to protect it with an SPF sunscreen everyday, no matter how long your skin will be exposed for. Sunlight plays an important role in our overall wellbeing but the risks involved with overexposure cannot be ignored.

Almost everyone experiences acne at some point in their life and almost everyone deals with the frustration and anxiety of trying to find a treatment that works. If you’ve tried product after product, only to find little to no change in the appearance of your skin, you’re not alone. Most people who suffer from acne have a tough time trying to manage it and it’s one of the most common skin ailments that patients consult us about.

We offer several different treatments for eliminating acne blemishes, but the real secret to smooth, clear skin is finding a customized skin care regimen that is tailored to your skin’s specific needs. Everyone’s skin is different and our job is to help you design a plan that will get your skin acne free and put an end to the frustrations of going through dozens of products without achieving any results.

To better understand why Acne can be as persistent and frustrating as it is, let’s take a closer look at what Acne is and it’s possible causes.

What is Acne?

Acne occurs when your skin’s pores become clogged and the release of natural oils is blocked, which in turn causes bacteria to grow. The different kinds of acne are broken into two categories; Non-Inflammatory Acne and Inflammatory  Acne. Non-Inflammatory Acne typically appears in the form of whiteheads or blackheads, while Inflammatory Acne normally is known to appear as a more reddish, swollen bump that can sometimes be painful.

Causes of Acne

The exact causes of acne are unknown and it is likely that there are several different factors that can trigger it’s appearance, all of which can vary from person to person. Hormones, diet, genes, and stress are all possible causes of acne, but since it is not entirely understood why the process that causes oil to be blocked from escaping the pore occurs, it is better to spend time evaluating each patient individually and devising an effective treatment based on his or her specific symptoms.

Solutions

We pride ourselves on being able to provide our patients with specifically tailored, effective skin care regimens that will restore the skin to it’s clear, unblemished natural state. When it comes to more severe cases of acne, where a topical treatment may be ineffective, we offer several different laser treatments that can easily and effectively eliminate acne and acne scars. We also sometimes administer steroids and injectable treatments, depending on the case and its severity.

We understand all of the frustrations that are attached to dealing with acne prone skin. Our goal is to help get your skin the clearest it can be so that you can let go of those frustrations and face the world with confidence.

Dermatology Associates of McLean has created a new website to better serve our customers and provide relevant information about keeping your skin healthy. Make sure you check back often for tips, information and products that will help you refresh, rejuvenate and maintain healthy skin!