How does photodamage happen?

Photodamage is damage to the skin caused by exposure to the UV rays of the sun.

By changing the structure of your skin, photodamage leads to premature aging. If you have photodamage, you may experience symptoms such as wrinkles, lines, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and lax, dull skin. When you are exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods without adequate protection, the sun’s UV rays can damage collagen and elastin fibers in the deeper layer of your skin.

This loss causes your skin to lose elasticity and firmness and can cause your skin to wrinkle and sag prematurely. Exposure to sunlight will also deplete your skin of essential vitamins needed to maintain a youthful and healthy glow. At Total Glow, we address photodamage with a combination of potent and effective treatments, as well as access to environ skincare. Depending on the severity of photodamage, we will recommend the best treatment or combination of procedures and skincare for you.

Can I reverse my photodamage?

The first line of defense against photodamage is prevention. Using sunscreen any time you go outdoors for an extended period and wearing protective clothing will go a long way in preventing photodamage and inhibiting further damage. However, once the damage is done, there are treatments available that can dramatically rejuvenate the appearance of sun-damaged skin.

Treatments for photodamage

At Total Glow, we treat photodamage in several ways. The use of laser (IPL) and microneedling is exceptionally effective at treating sun damage. As Environ’s California Flagship and Training Center, we also use the newest range of skincare products tailored to prevent and reverse photodamage. By combining our targeted laser and microneedling treatments with our state-of-the-art skincare treatments, we routinely deliver exceptional results in the treatment of photodamage.

IPL

Fresher, renewed and more youthful skin.

Intense Pulsed light exposes your skin to therapeutic pulsed light, which helps renew the skin, shedding blemishes, and signs of aging. With virtually no downtime or recovery, IPL can help reduce and fade sun spots and freckles, decrease the size of your pores, stimulate collagen growth and leave your skin fresher, renewed, and more youthful.

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Microneedling

In microneedling, ultra-fine needles create
thousands of tiny holes in your skin.

The micro-injuries stimulate your body’s natural healing process, triggering the natural production of collagen. Microneedling can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, tighten sagging skin and give your skin a youthful glow.

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Environ skincare treatments

We use Environ’s cutting edge skincare products in both our facials and chemical peels. When your skin is damaged by the sun, it is depleted of essential vitamins and nutrients. With our Environ Vitamin therapy treatments for sun damage, your skin is saturated with vitamins A, C, and E and other active ingredients to effectively combat sun damage.

Our clients are thrilled with improvements you can achieve with Environ Active for acne and the Mela line for pigmentation issues. The skincare regimen you use following your treatment is an essential aspect of maintaining your look. By ensuring your skin gets the proper care and nourishment, your results can be enhanced, and your skin protected against further damage in the future. We will provide you with expert guidance on how to take care of your skin going forward.

Skincare & Sun Protection

Environ has received over 100 international awards, most recently being voted Top Medical Skincare Line of the Decade in the highly revered Aesthetic Everything® Aesthetic and Cosmetic Medicine Awards. It is the first Skin Cancer Foundation Lifetime achievement award given to Dr Desmond Fernandes for a lifetime of research and passion and input into the marvelous knowledge that we gain from his work about skin health, prevention of skin cancer, and photoprotection. However, protecting your skin should involve a combination of blocking out the damaging UV-rays and the replacement of skin essential nutrients, like vitamins, that are damaged by sunlight.

Did you know? It is scientifically proven that higher SPF sunscreens provide minimal added protection. Higher SPF sunscreens contain higher concentrations of chemical sunscreen ingredients. It is scientifically shown that chemical (organic) sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed into the skin, and when struck by UV radiation, these can become quite aggressive free radicals, increasing the risk of damage. “Protecting the skin, especially from the sun, should start from as early as six months old with sensible sunscreen application. Given that our skin is our biggest breathing organ, we need to ensure that whatever we put on it, will ensure its long-term health. Fewer chemicals equals healthier, happier skin, and this means a lower SPF,” says Dr Des Fernandes, Environ Founder and Scientific Director.

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The Total Glow Difference

When you come to Total Glow for treatment, you are entering an environment of total commitment to you. Terrie Absher, our founder and Sherpa, has implemented every measure to ensure each step of your journey is met with complete attention to detail. Terrie trains every provider in the practice for months before allowing them to treat clients. This ensures each provider has “the touch” with each client, not only providing excellent results, but also making each client as comfortable as possible.

Why choose Total Glow?

At Total Glow, we are experts in skin and photodamage. All of our Palo Alto med spa providers are extensively trained to treat any skincare issue, on any skin type. We are committed to helping you achieve beautiful results that go above and beyond your expectations.

When body, mind, and spirit are in harmony, you feel it with every breath. That level of wellness lets you live with vitality and purpose, and achieve your Total Glow. Schedule a free consultation today.

1906 El Camino Real, Suite 102, Menlo Park, CA 94027

PhotodamageIn Palo Alto, CA