It is quite a nice feeling, to soak yourself in the sunlight, feeling the warm sensation. Sunlight rejuvenates and makes you feel young and happy, but prolonged exposure can do worse. It can damage your skin and cause sunburn.
Products To Reduce The Sun Damage
Long exposure to sunlight can lead to wrinkles, dark spots, discoloration or hyperpigmentation, erythema or redness of the skin, and other problems, which can make your skin look aged.
Let us look at some of the products that ease the damage and also certain precautions that benefit our skin.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants have a special ability to correct skin concerns and provide protection against future damage. Several studies show that diets that are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are protective of the skin in addition to preventing sun damage as well as sunburn and photoaging.
Some of the commonly used antioxidants include niacinamide, resveratrol, vitamin E, retinol, and other polyphenols.
Retinol
Retinol is one of the most favored products that are used to reverse the damage caused by the sun. However pregnant women are not advised to use them. A derivative of Vitamin A, Retinol works by promoting cell turnover and enhancing collagen production.
Both these processes aid with bringing damaged cells to a healthier side. Retinol can be used for any sort of sun-induced damage and is available as both otc and with a prescription.
However, there are chances of this product causing irritation, redness, or dryness if you have sensitive skin. If you are doubtful about your skin type, or even unsure about how and when to use retinol, it would be best to consult a dermatologist for an ideal method.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is the next trendsetter in skin care talks. Several studies show that niacinamide can act as an antioxidant, improve epidermal barrier function, decrease hyperpigmentation, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, reduce redness and blotchiness, diminish yellowing of the skin, and improve elasticity.
Niacinamide is believed to work by blocking the pigment from surfacing on the external layer of the skin and may have the capacity to reduce pigment production.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also believed to have anti-aging properties and repair skin damage. It might prevent damage before it even happens by neutralizing the free radicals and aids in reconstructing your skin’s usage by stimulating the production of collagen.
You can add this to your routine either in the morning before you apply sunscreen or in the evening before you go to bed.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments can be used to treat the skin damage. They can be used to target the pigment melanin, which will remove the sunspots. There are different types of laser, including CO2 and erbium laser resurfacing.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
This product is known to have the ability to increase the thickness of the epidermis and make it less prone to photoaging and even reverse its effects.
Nowadays a lot of products like sunscreens and other creams are available in the market that contain AHAs or glycolic acid. It is known to help with decreasing hyperpigmentation. However, it is highly suggested to use sunscreen if you are using it in the morning.
Check Out Our CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen Review here:
Azelaic Acids
This compound is typically used to treat acne, but some studies suggest that it may also aid in anti-aging. It is observed to have the capacity to slow the production of melanin and also in blocking abnormal melanocytes.
It also claims to have antioxidant properties. With strong anti-inflammatory properties, it is even used in Rosacea treatments.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
The number one product that comes to anybody’s mind when they talk about protection from sun damage would be sunscreens. Use it daily. It would also be ideal if you are covering your skin with clothes, hats, shades, etc. Go seek shade when the sun tends to be the hottest.
Before 9 in the morning would be the ideal time to go get your daily dose of Vitamin D. After 10 to 4 in the evening it would be best to reduce the exposure.
Being careful with the exposure and doing basic skin care itself would be great for the skin and help it with reversing the damage the sun has caused because the skin tends to repair itself.
It would be good to run by your dermatologist before using any products on your skin. Especially for people with sensitive skin or allergies, do not forget to visit your doctor before choosing any products that might have any components sensitive to your skin.
