Now that summer has officially begun and sun exposure is increasing, we are getting ready to treat the side effects of UV. Besides sunburn and skin cancer, the problem with too much sun is that it may cause blotchy discoloration. Often, we see brown patches on the skin and reddish areas with blood vessels (telangiectasias).

To even out your skin and reverse these changes, the best two-in-one fix is a photofacial. A photofacial is not a facial, but it is light: intense pulsed light. Dr Brad Katchen, founder of SkinCareLab, has just brought the Palomar Star Lux device to his office. This treatment shines light into the skin to target both the pigment in sunspots and the blood visible in blood vessels. The Palmar Star photofacial gently eliminates both sunspots and blood vessels, leaving an even complexion. This photofacial can be done monthly for a few months to provide a safe, comfortable and effective result without any downtime.

Of course it’s best to be pro-active to prevent the harmful effects of the sun by using daily, a broadspectrum sunscreen and shading yourself from direct sunlight. However, as we spend more time outside, in and out of the ocean, and playing outdoor sports, sun-exposure is inevitable. Now we have one more option to perfect the skin.