I have a bone to pick with my chest. It's only 32 years old but starting to look older. Fine lines and sun spots are popping up. Not cool! Isn't this supposed to happen in 10 years?
Not necessarily. Dr. Nowell Solish, a dermatologist at Women's College Hospital in Toronto who specializes in cosmetic treatments, explained to me that such signs of chronic sun exposure can appear in your 30s. "It all depends on how much sun you've had and how fair you are," he says. Truth is, I've had many burns in my life. Same goes for many women, says Solish, as we tend to be less diligent at applying sunscreen to our décolleté than our faces.
Your skin doesn't have to have the same fate as mine. To help protect it from similar woes, be a sun care goddess (directions below). But if you're already bummed about battling brown and red spots or fine lines, consider one of the following laser treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): It works wonders on brown sun spots and red broken vessels. "IPL is usually all the vast majority of people need, especially if they're young," says Solish. There's minimal downtime – you may be red or dark for a week – and you may only need maintenance once a year. If you're bothered by lots of fine lines, IPL isn't for you but Fraxel can help.
Fraxel: While IPL is usually sufficient for women of our age, Solish may turn to Fraxel, a stronger laser treatment than IPL, on those with a lot of discolouration. "It does a better job at the fine lines (it increases collagen production) and brown pigmentation," he says. "It doesn't solve the red, though." You need about three sessions (with maintenance once a year), and after each one, expect to be very rosy and have little scabs for about a week.
Proper protection
Since talking with Solish, I've become a sunscreen fanatic. It's important to be diligent, he says, because the skin on your chest is thin and burns easily. To avoid sun damage and premature aging, you should slather on the right stuff in the right away.
Here's what to do:
Put on at least SPF 30. "Just like your face, you want to put it on in the morning before you're exposed to sunlight," says Solish. Apply it liberally 20 to 30 minutes before venturing outdoors, and remember to reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
Choose sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection. SPF only refers to UVB rays, says Solish, but you also need to shield your skin from UVA rays. They're responsible for premature aging and skin cancer. Look for ingredients such as mexoryl and helioplex, which are fabulous UVA-blockers. Try Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch or La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL.
Related links
- Can acupuncture make you look younger?
- The best scrubs for smooth skin
- Your celebrity swimwear guide