Dr. Shauna Kranendonk is a board-certified dermatologist in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, who specializes in cosmetic and surgical dermatology and has been in private practice since 2000. Dr. Kranendonk’s knowledge in cosmetic dermatology is recognized nationally. In the past year, she has co-authored two textbook chapters, including “Skin Rejuvenation” in the surgical textbook Cosmesis of the Face and Jaw, and “Proprietary Peels” in the dermatology textbook Chemical Peels. Dr. Kranendonk shares her expertise with Coolibar on how to avoid scarring, age spots, new lines and wrinkles by using sun protection after chemical peels and laser treatments.
Everyday patients come into my office looking for ways to look younger. For skin that is weathered from years of sun exposure, I recommend chemical peels and laser treatments. These procedures can be performed on virtually any area of the body but most commonly are performed on the face, neck, chest, arms and legs.
When educating patients about these treatments, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of sun protection, in the form of sunscreen and sun protective clothing. The healing process for peels, varies from 3-7 days. Laser resurfacing is typically 7-10 days for face, longer for chest and lower extremities. Sunburn during the healing stage can result in scarring. In addition, patients who don’t properly protect their skin from the sun following chemical peels or laser procedures are at risk for developing dark patches of skin in the treated areas. This complication is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. With treatment, it can take up to several months to resolve. It is much easier to prevent this complication by avoiding sun exposure during the healing phase.
The benefits of peels and procedures don’t wear off after a given length of time. What I tell patients after their procedure is, we’ve turned the clock back, and now it starts ticking again. Good sun protection will keep the clock ticking at a slower rate and sun exposure will speed it up.
Sun protective clothing helps keep the skin safe from sun exposure following skin rejuvenation procedures. Sun protective clothing has the unique advantage of being a broad spectrum physical block, which won’t sweat off like sunscreens will. In addition, many sunscreens sting and burn when applied to the skin, especially following chemical peels or laser treatments, and they don’t provide sufficient sun protection. Sun protective lightweight breathable fabrics, such as Coolibar SUNTECT® fabrics, help keep the skin from overheating, providing comfortable, safe sun protection. With sun protective clothing, sun-related complications can be avoided. And, you can keep your skin healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Shauna Kranendonk, MD
Coastal Dermatology Cosmetic, Laser & Surgery Center
Disclaimer: The information provided by Coolibar and its contributors is general skin care information and should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem.
