Reversing Sun-Damaged Skin
Oct 16, 2017 09:03AM ● By Erin Edmiston
Now that the summer months are behind us, it’s time to start transitioning into the fall season. With the fall comes new hairstyles, new makeup, new clothes, and new skin! We can probably all admit that we’ve spent many hours in the sun over the last few months and now we are seeing some changes in the skin. Some of us may feel as though we look dull, or maybe our skin looks and feels weathered. Luckily, there are several treatments and products we can use to help reverse the effects of sun exposure! Here are six beneficial steps to help brighten up our appearance!
1.) Exfoliate three times weekly (Clarisonic brush or exfoliating scrub/paste)
-Exfoliating properly will help remove dead and damaged skin cells that are no longer benefiting your skin. With exfoliating comes fresh new skin cells!
2.) Apply an anti-oxidant to the face every morning.
-Anti-Oxidants help combat free radical damage to the skin and the rest of the body. By applying an anti-oxidant to your face, you will notice brighter skin and will slowly start to see the sun damage fade away.
3.) Apply Retinol or Retin-A to the face at night 3 times weekly.
-These products assist in the production of new skin cells. You will visibly notice your skin flaking away which is part of the cell turnover process. Once your skin is no longer peeling, you can apply 5 to 7 nights a week. The goal is to build up a tolerance to the peeling then adjust the number of times applied a week. When you’ve built up a tolerance and are applying every night of the week, you can then consult your doctor about increasing the percentage of your product.
4.) Alternate between Dermaplaning and Mild Peels every 4 to 6 weeks
- By alternating between these two treatments, you are taking the necessary steps to keep the cellular turnover process on track. Your skin will thank you for it too! Maintaining this process is essential to the health of your skin. For double exfoliation, your esthetician can apply the mild peel after the Dermaplane treatment is finished. There could be downtime with this type of treatment depending on how sensitive your skin is.
5.) Apply Hydroquinone or a bleaching agent to the face every day
- Applying a bleaching agent to your skin is a great option for fading those dark spots that we all hate. Most dermatologists will recommend a 4% Hydroquinone to be applied every morning and night! Keep in mind that Hydroquinone 4% is a prescription and requires a doctor’s signature.
6.) ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN
- There is no point in correcting sun-damaged skin if you’re not protecting it. Most skin care professionals recommend an SPF 30 and higher. I personally recommend an SPF 50 and one that contains Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
