Getting our fair share of Vitamin D is extremely important to maintain the health of our bodies and minds. Its warm light shining down on us makes us feel cozy and happy. However, we should ensure we don’t overdo it and damage our skin instead.
Sun-damaged skin usually occurs on areas of our body that are often exposed to its rays, like our faces, necks, arms, and legs. It may lead to dark spots, discolouration, wrinkles, and, in extreme cases, even cancer. So naturally, ensuring your safety, in this case, is a must.
Suppose your skin has already been overexposed to the sun and damaged. Fear not! There are several steps you can take to reverse this somewhat. Some of these solutions include more natural ones, while others look for a cosmetic and technological method.
Continue reading this blog for tips on healing your sun-damaged skin.
1. Wear sunscreen
Even though your skin has already been damaged, you should lather some sunscreen to prevent further damage. This will help block the harmful effects of the UV rays, allowing your skin to remain in the sun without affecting it. You should aim to wear sunscreen every day and reapply it a few more times throughout the day.
Furthermore, ensure that you apply it on the parts of your body that are mostly exposed to the sun, especially when you go out during peak sun hours! Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It should have an SPF of at least 30 and be water-resistant.
2. Laser treatments
Laser treatments are another helpful sun spot removal method to rid your skin of damage. Several different types of laser treatments are available, including fractionated laser treatments, which target small areas of the skin, and ablative laser treatments, which remove the entire outer layer of skin.
Laser resurfacing can reduce hyperpigmentation, scarring, and wrinkles caused by sun damage. Laser treatments can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration and stimulate collagen production, which can help improve skin elasticity and firmness.
3. Exfoliate
Sun-damaged skin tends to get discoloured due to the effect of UV rays on its pigmentation. One way you can reverse this is by exfoliating the discoloured skin. Exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead and damaged skin cells, thereby promoting the growth of new and undamaged skin cells.
Aim to use the exfoliant twice or thrice a week for optimal results. It is important not to overdo this, as over-exfoliating can cause another problem for your skin. Using products that contain glycolic acid is highly recommended, as this helps boost the collagen in your body. They also come in various forms, such as scrubs or chemical exfoliants!
4. Antioxidants
Free radicals, which damage the skin cells due to over-exposure to the sun, can be neutralized using antioxidants. Antioxidants can help to protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and can also help to repair damage that has already occurred. Products containing vitamin C and vitamin E are great solutions.
Consuming products like green tea, carrots, spinach, milk and nuts, seafood, and so many more will not only help you with your issue of damaged skin but will improve your overall health!
5. Be aware of the sun’s hours
Since your skin has already been damaged by the sun, you will want to be extra careful about how much sun exposure it gets. To be mindful of this, you should also be mindful of the sun’s hours. By knowing when it is the strongest, meaning when its UV rays are most likely damaging, try avoiding going outside in its direct line of vision.
These hours usually occur between noon till early evening. While it is unrealistic to completely avoid the sun at these hours, try your best to limit your exposure to it!
6. Microdermabrasion
A cosmetic treatment known as microdermabrasion can also effectively heal sun-damaged skin. It is a non-invasive treatment which is also relatively painless. It involves using a special device to gently exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. This can help improve the texture and tone of the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Now that we’ve gone over some natural and cosmetic treatments that will help heal your sun-damaged skin consider all these options and try the ones that meet your needs and budget. Most importantly, you should remember that the constant application of sunscreen is your saviour. Eat healthy, keep healthy, and enjoy the sun safely!
