Spending time in bright sunshine sure feels good – It comes with a tonne of health benefits. However, without moderation, everything that’s good goes wrong. The sun gives off Ultraviolet (UV) Rays that cause skin damage over time. From dry skin to wrinkles and dark spots – skin damage is a very real issue.
The good news is, it’s reversible! Well, not completely but sun damaged skin can be repaired to a great extent. All you need to do is establish a proper skin care routine and maintain a healthy diet.
Here are a few summer skin care tips to bear in mind. Together we can battle the sun and reverse the damage:
Antioxidants:
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Topical Antioxidants
Serums and creams that contain antioxidants for topical application are highly recommended by dermatologists, as they are in direct contact with the skin. The antioxidants are able to seep through and repair skin from the inside. Serums containing Vitamin C, help slough off dead skin cells and boost collagen.
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Antioxidants in your diet
Maintaining a healthy diet from the very beginning mitigates the damaging effects of the sun over time. Consume fresh fruits and vegetables like broccoli, prunes, tomatoes, blueberries, cilantro and more!
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Hydroquinone:
Hydroquinone combined with tretinoin (Retin-A) is the most effective when it comes to reversing sun damage.
It works on your skin without being invasive, intensely exfoliating the upper layers. Initially, it may cause slight flaking but your skin will get used to it.
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Intense Pulse Light:
Skin discolouration, particularly dark spots can be treated with a set number of sessions of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Photodynamic Therapy. After the therapy, age and sun spots turn dark and flake off in a few days.
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Power Peels:
Chemical peels remove the top layer of skin which helps even out skin texture, tackles wrinkles, pigmentation, sun spots and several other forms of damage inflicted by the sun.
Glycolic acid and Alpha-hydroxy acid are mild. They’re used to treat fine lines and pigmentation, while deeper skin peels like Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels work on texture and tone.
So, technology has advanced enough to help you get rid of sun-related skin problems but remember, prevention is better than cure. Always apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 before stepping out. Don’t let the sun rob your shine!