REPAIR & RESTORE
sun-damaged skin
Words by Connie Wirta Photography by Scott Thuen of Thuen Studios
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s the number of Americans diagnosed with skin cancers continues to rise, many people have become more aware of the dangers of sun exposure. They’re also noticing the toll that the sun has taken on their skin. Many common skin conditions can be effectively treated with laser therapy or intense pulsed light therapy, says Dr. Michael Blankinship, a dermatologist at the Essentia Health – South University Clinic in Fargo.
Dr. Michael Blankenship uses a laser to repair skin damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
When choosing who will repair your sun-damaged skin, Dr. Blankinship says it’s critical to determine if the person has had proper training, especially when it comes to lasers. “The person needs to know how to select the right laser and the correct energies,” the physician explains.
Ultraviolet rays from the sun damage skin and cause cells to mutate. Sun exposure can cause damage at any age, but the cumulative effects make many conditions more likely as we age.
“We choose a specific laser so the target is affected and the surrounding tissue is spared as much as possible,” Dr. Blankinship explains. The precision of the lasers causes fewer side effects, he adds.
Dermatologists and staff at the Essentia Health Skin Renewal Center offer a variety of treatments to repair and restore sun-damaged skin. They have medical training not often found at spas or salons. The physicians also can identify any medical risk factors or potential complications.
Dr. Blankinship suggests planning ahead if you’d like treatments before a social event, such as a wedding or graduation. “Remember, your skin needs time to heal after the procedure,” he says. “Set aside at least two to three months, or up to six months if you need more extensive treatment.”
HERE ARE FOUR COMMON CONDITIONS CAUSED BY SUN EXPOSURE AND HOW THEY CAN BE TREATED:
ACTINIC KERATOSIS SYMPTOM: Rough, scaly, red patches
WHERE: Often on the face, nose and ears
TREATMENT: Prescription creams, cryotherapy or photodynamic therapy
WHAT HAPPENS: Cryotherapy uses a light spray of liquid nitrogen to kill the affected cells. “It’s like a controlled frostbite,” explains Dr. Blankinship. Photodynamic therapy begins with an application of a medicine followed by a treatment with a special wavelength of light. All three treatments kill the damaged skin cells. CANCER WARNING: Actinic keratosis can develop into a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. “It’s a small number of cases, but there is no way to predict which ones will become cancerous so we recommend treatment of all of them to prevent cancer,” Dr. Blankinship says. 58