One out of every three Americans reports getting sunburned every year. That’s a lot of sun damage!
Sun damage can cause serious health complications, such as cancer. It also accelerates natural signs of aging and skin discoloration. Are you experiencing signs of sun damage?
We’re here to offer a few skincare tips for how to repair sun damaged skin (and prevent future damage). Read on to learn more.
Use Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an underutilized skincare ingredient.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. This means that it fights dangerous free radicals. It can protect you from pollution and UV light from the sun.
While your goal is to reverse sun damage, vitamin C will help you prevent further damage. It may also soften the appearance of fine lines and discoloration.
Avoid making your own “DIY” vitamin C products. Using vitamin C tablets or lemon juice on your skin can be harmful. Instead, use skincare products with vitamin C in the ingredient list.
Retinol Is Your Friend
Retinol is a skincare powerhouse. It’s good for acne, signs of aging, discoloration, and more. It’s definitely effective for repairing skin damage.
Retinol can stimulate the production of collagen in your skin (which can slow down as a result of sun damage). Collagen is what keeps your skin looking soft and plump.
When you’re using retinol, make sure to avoid sun exposure. It’s best to use it at night and you should always be wearing sunscreen on top of it when you’re outside. It can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
Don’t Forget Hydration
You need to keep your skin hydrated while you’re trying to repair or reverse skin damage. Layer on the moisturizers and pamper your skin.
There are several ways to go about this. First, consider hyaluronic acid. This is a hydrating ingredient that pulls moisture to your skin instead of just allowing it to rest on top.
This is a great time to use sheet masks. Look for ones with soothing ingredients, like aloe, that will leave your skin feeling soft and dewy.
We also recommend slugging. Slugging is when you put a thick cream or ointment over the rest of your skincare routine when you get ready for bed. It will lock in the rest of the ingredients and you’ll wake up with your skin feeling and looking fresh.
Consider Professional Skin Treatments
If you have the means, consider visiting an esthetician or dermatologist. There are a variety of skin treatments that require a professional touch, but that can have great results.
These skin treatments include enzyme therapy, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and more.
Focus on Prevention
Once you start healing your skin, take this opportunity to focus on prevention as well. How are you going to avoid future sun damage?
You should always wear sunscreen when you’re outside or in front of a bright window. Re-apply sunscreen every few hours, especially if you’re sweating or getting wet.
Instead of going tanning, consider tanning lotions or rocking your natural skin tone.
That’s How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin
Now that you know how to repair sun damaged skin, why not go visit a dermatologist and pick up some new skincare products? Pamper your skin and get it back in good condition before you start exposing yourself to too much sun again. Stay safe!
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