Crocodile skin...great if you're a wallet or purse but not what you want to see in the mirror! How do you know if you have "croc" skin? Your skin is dull, wrinkled, saggy, spotted, scarred and uneven much like a crocodile's. Some people even describe their skin as "uninspired" compared to what they are used to looking at. 

We know that 80%  of "croc" skin damage is a result of exposure to UVA/B rays of the sun. These rays break down collagen and elastin, the stuff that gives your skin fullness and spring when you push on it with your finger. Over time and with repeated exposure you lose the ability to generate skin building materials at the foundational level of your skin. As a result your skin loses it's glow and becomes dull and flat. Without sufficient collagen the exterior skin (the epidermis) loses its support and begins to sag much like a house whose foundation has been weakened by water. Wrinkles begin to appear as small muscles get stronger through years of constant use. With less elastin, your skin doesn't spring back and the continual creasing and recreasing of the skin creates wrinkles.

Damaged skin can also show an uneven coloration, in the form of hyperpigmentation or spots. Damaged skin is also more susceptible to abrasion and scarring.  Past scars from acne or injury appear to be more prominent on your skin. Isn't this all just a natural result of aging? Not totally. If you want proof look at the condition of your skin that's always covered by undergarments (unless you tan in the buff). You'll notice your skin is clear, smooth, and has a lot more spring to it. So there are some things you can do now to either prevent "croc" skin or remediate it's condition and make up for past "skin sins."

Stop Actively Tanning -- A tan is skin damage. That's it. You wouldn't dream of walking around a inside a nuclear reactor because of the radiation damage. The sun is a thousand thousand nuclear reactors going off...that's fortunately really far away. Don't lie out or get into a tanning bed that would do the same type of damage. You are doing more than prematurely aging your skin, you are mutating your skin's DNA and courting skin cancer. Use SPF 30 everyday and if you want that sun kissed bronze look use a safe tanning product.

Don't Smoke -- Smoking is probably the second worst thing you can do to your skin after tanning. The chemicals from cigarettes, concentrated in the smoke near the most delicate skin on you face, act like age accelerators on your skin.

Wear Sunglasses -- Sunglasses should wrap around the face and eyes to protect the delicate skin around the eyes that wrinkle easily.

Have a Visia Evaluation -- Your skin may look healthy but there may be hidden damage waiting to pop up. The Visia is a simple procedure that can actually help you see the conditions of your skin underneath. This allows you to take steps before the problems appear on your skin.

Start Skin Building Early -- If you are in your mid to late 20's it's a good time to get a Visia evaluation and consider early protective measures like simple microdermabarsion and Gentle Waves treatments to prevent the development of "croc" skin. You may look in the mirror and think,"I'm young...nothing is wrong." But you're losing an opportunity to keep the largest organ of your body, healthy, fresh and full of glow to go! You don't need a lot but you do need to maintenance your skin. You get your hair done, you brush your teeth and floss, and you may spend more on your cellphone than on your skin...Don't take your skin for granted! Also have a daily skin regimen that fits your skin. Reevaluate this regimen every 3-5 years. What you did and the products you used at 25 may be ineffective or actually be damaging your skin at 30. That's why we suggest a Visia evaluation. Consider a product like Prescribed Solutions that is tailored specifically for your skin so that it meets your specific needs.

Keep Skin Building! -- If you are coming late to the game, as many of us were encouraged to lay out in the sun, and your skin is already showing signs of being "croced" don't give up! Non-surgical beauty medicine was made for you! There are loads of therapy choices...IPL (Intense Pulse Laser) for sun damage and pigmentation, dermal fillers to make up for lost collagen, XC Laser to rebuild collagen and get your skin looking smooth and Facial Rejuvenation to give you, literally a "glow-to-go" walking out the door!

If you don't like the results of sun exposure over the long term and you DO like the idea of SMOOTH, BRIGHT, FIRM, CLEAR SKIN instead, I have lots of ways to say," Later gator!" to your "croc" skin.