239-566-2611
1250 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 101C,
Naples, Florida 34108

Enjoy the Summer, But Don’t Forget Sun Protection

Enjoy the Summer, But Don’t Forget Sun Protection

Given that we live in Florida where people tend to spend more time outside, Gardner Plastic Surgery thought it might be incumbent to remind our readers of the inherent danger to your skin posed by excessive exposure to the sun.

As the body’s largest organ, our skin serves as a protective barrier that shields the rest of our bodily systems from the ravages of the natural elements and takes the brunt of any damages caused by accidents or other physical impacts. While skin naturally changes as we age, the rate and extent of such change can be significantly exacerbated by the harmful rays of the sun. In fact, the biggest contributor to aging skin—other than advancing age itself—is sun damage.

UV Exposure is a Big Factor in Aging Skin

Your lifetime exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun (and/or from tanning booths) is a big factor in creating age spots, wrinkles, collagen breakdown and irregular skin cells like moles and other blemishes. Ultraviolet light exposure may at times cause even more damage than even genetics, smoking, poor diet or stress. Likewise, the incidence of skin cancer is caused more by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning booths, than other factors such as genetics and diet.

What in Sunlight Causes the Damage?

Along with providing light, the sun (and tanning booths) emit a spectrum of UV radiation that can penetrate and damage your skin. “Long wave” UVA rays penetrate the skin deepest, reaching far into the thickest layer of skin, known as the “dermis.” Exposure to UVA rays over time causes premature skin aging, wrinkling, suppresses the immune system and plays a role in skin cancer formation. “Short wave” UVB rays only penetrate the skin’s surface area, but is the cause of sunburning, and plays a key role in the development of cancer and melanoma. Sunburned skin also leads to overall skin damage over time.

Best Preventive Strategies for Warding off Sun Damage

Among the best preventive strategies for warding off sun damage are to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen on all potentially exposed parts of your body every day. In particular, sunscreens that work as mechanical or physical blocks due to their inclusion of UV ray-blocking micronized zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide. Along with “broad spectrum,” sun blocks should be high in “SPF,” which stands for “Sun Protection Factor,” a measure of how well a sunscreen protects from UVB rays. Most dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of between 15 and 30. While there is nothing wrong with using a higher SPF sunscreen, higher SPF represents diminishing returns as SPF 30 sunscreens already block 97 percent of UVB rays. While SPF does not specifically account for protection from UVA rays, as long as the sunscreen includes “broad spectrum” with its SPF rating, it should protect from UVA rays.

Gardner Plastic Surgery Offers Sun Protection

Gardner Plastic Surgery is a proud distributor of the complete line of Obagi Medical skin care system products, which includes Obagi Sun Shield Sunscreen. The sunscreen, part of Obagi’s “Nu-Derm®” “Obagi-C® Rx” systems for correcting and improving visible signs of skin aging, is a broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen perfect for all outside applications.

To learn more about how you can protect your skin from UV damage, or to determine corrective options for already damaged skin, contact Naples, Florida-Based Gardner Plastic Surgery today at 239.566.2611.

Naples Plastic Surgey is Proud to Serve Patients from Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and All Over the Country!

Want to Know
More About Our Surgeons?

Gardner Plastic Surgery Naples, FL
Contact Naples Plastic Surgery
renowned Naples, Florida plastic surgeons.
239-566-2611
Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Logo

At Naples Plastic Surgery, our cosmetic services are designed to contour and enhance your body to help you achieve the body image that you desire. Known for offering among the best facial plastic surgery in Naples, our board-certified surgeons are known as much for their artistry as they are for their surgical skills. We understand that your image is the key to feeling great, so we will provide you with the most reliable advice and services to help make you look and feel your best.

The surgical team at Naples Plastic Surgery has the training and experience necessary to help you pursue your own individual cosmetic goals down to the very last detail, all in a warm, comfortable, and private environment.

Dr. Paul Gardner, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving Southwest Florida. As one of the leading plastic surgeons in Naples, FL, Dr. Gardner has more than 25 years of experience performing facial procedures including composite facelift, mini facelift, brow lift and skin cancer removal procedures. He also possesses expertise in breast augmentations, tummy tucks, and labiaplasty.

Dr. Leopoldo M. Baccaro, MD received extensive training at the prestigious Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, where he worked with some of the most well-renowned practitioners in the art of cosmetic surgery. With honors and awards throughout medical school and his residency, Dr. Baccaro earned a stellar reputation for high quality surgical care with both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures.

Dr. Mark Walsh, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving Southwest Florida. Dr. Walsh participated in the prestigious plastic surgery training program at Duke University. He has also served as an invited reviewer and has provided expert commentaries for multiple surgical journals, including the highly regarded Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Dr. Andrew M. Bonett, MD specializes in both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, with specific interests in reconstruction after breast and skin cancers, including Mohs reconstruction. His experience also includes reconstruction following traumatic injuries, body contouring, and general cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.

The plastic surgery process at Naples Plastic Surgery begins with a one-on-one, confidential consultation in which your surgeon conducts an examination to determine which procedures are likely to produce the most robust aesthetic improvements. This includes a comprehensive discussion with you to identify the benefits, risks and costs associated with each procedure. It may be possible to combine a number of surgical procedures into a single surgery if you desire and if your medical condition permits it.

As with any medical procedure, there is no guarantee that a desired outcome will be achieved. There are a number of health risks associated with even minor medical procedures. If you have any health issues or concerns, please feel free to discuss them any time with your surgeon at our Naples’ plastic surgery center.
Naples Plastic Surgery Logo

Naples Plastic Surgery- Copyright © 2013 - 2023

Plastic Surgeons | Paul M. Gardner, MD, FACS | Leopoldo M. Baccaro, MD | Mark Walsh, MD, F.A.C.S. | Andrew Bonett, MD

1250 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 101C, Naples, Florida 34108
(239) 566-2611 fax: (239) 431-8069
Website Design by: Moxxi Marketing