April 24, 2023

By Meg Fruth, APRN, CNP & Lauren Lund, RN-BSN, HNB-BC

Summer is around the corner. It's almost tank tops, bathing suits, and sun-dress season. We often see patients pointing out the sun damage on their chest from years of tanning, lack of sunscreen, and poor décolletage skincare. Exposure to the sun over time can cause significant damage to the skin. This damage manifests in a variety of ways including dark spots, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and rough texture. Although it is important to protect your skin from the skin through preventative measures such as wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, there are also several treatment options available to MOBO Medical Spa that can help reverse the signs of sun damage on the chest. In this article we discuss treatment options for sun damage on the chest.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a prescription topical lightening agent that is commonly used to treat hyperpigmentation, including sun damage. Sun damage can cause dark spots, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and rough texture due to increased production of melanin in the skin. Hydroquinone works by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the production of melanin, which in turn reduces the appearance of dark spots and evens out the skin tone. You should follow the directions from your healthcare provider when using hydroquinone to avoid potential side effects such as skin irritation and sensitivity to sunlight. Hydroquinone may take several weeks to see noticeable results, and continued use may be necessary. Hydroquinone can be used in combination with retinols.

VI Peels for Body

The makers of the #1 Chemical Peel for the face want you to have your best body ever.  VI Peel Body features a unique blend of AHA’s, TCA and Conditioning Agents. VI Peel for Body exfoliates and helps diminish pigmentation and textural damage to restore skin to its natural health while promoting rapid cell turnover. This Body Peel stimulates anti-aging collagen to increase cellular turnover. Safe for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI), this painless medium-depth body peel addresses multiple conditions and will show peeling post treatment with real results in 7 days. Depending on the degree of sun damage, multiple peels may be needed to reach the patient's aesthetic goal. Every patient will be sent home with a post-peel kit which includes 1 oz. VI Derm® Post Treatment Repair Cream and 1 oz. VI Derm® Retinoic Serum. Learn more about VI Body Peels HERE.

Microneedling

We often recommend a combination of Hydroquinone, VI Peels, and Microneedling. We advise patients to start with the topical  hydroquinone to bring the pigment to the surface. After 6 to 8 weeks of hydroquinone treatment, we recommend a VI Body Peel to help peel away the dead, dull, hyperpigmented skin. Then 4 to 6 weeks later, we often recommend microneedling treatment. Microneedling works by causing controlled micro-trauma to the layers of the skin which induces collagen production. This collagen production helps with décolletage lines caused by sun damage, general aging, chest sleep lines, and diminishes the presence of chest crepiness. Learn more about Microneedling HERE.

Daily Skincare

Along with the use of Hydroquinone, it's important to have a daily skincare routine for your face, décolletage, and neck. In the morning: we recommend using a gentle cleanser first. Next, apply a vitamin C serum. Follow that by the pigment-suppressing hydroquinone. Then, apply a moisturizer. Finally, apply quality SPF. In the evening, (1) cleanse, (2) apply retinol, (3) apply the pigment-suppressing hydroquinone, and (4) apply a moisturizer. 

Laser

Some patients may have sun damage beyond what we can treat at MOBO. If you are a candidate for more ablative procedures such as Laser, which carry a higher price tag and more downtime, your provider may refer you to a trusted industry colleague for this treatment. 

Prevent Further Damage...

Remember to protect your skin from the sun by wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen every day, even on days that seem overcast. Unsure on what sunscreen to use? Click HERE.

If any of the above treatments interest you, schedule a free consultation with your MOBO provider. Visit mobomedspa.com to find a provider near you.