Beauty Tips: How To Avoid And Reverse Sun Damage

With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, there has never been a better time to be in sunny San Diego. However, before you pack your bags and claim the beach as your home for the next three months, keep in mind that this incredible San Diego sunshine comes with some seriously alarming effects to your skin.  Not only does exposure to sunlight radiation account for more than 90% of premature aging symptoms, but UV radiations can also cause rapid skin discoloration and even cancer.

 

First things first: There are two types of UV rays - UVA and UVB. UVA rays can reach the deeper layers of the skin, causing wrinkles, sagging and cancer formation, while UVB rays primarily lead to sunburn. 

 

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measurement of only UVB ray protection, not UVA ray protection. This means that your go-to sunscreen may only protect sunburns, but your complexion may be at risk for sun damage, aging and skin cancer.

 

 

Just because your skin didn't burn from your beach day doesn't mean it's not damaged. Look for UVA-blocking ingredients, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone and oxybenzone, to make sure your skin is shielded from premature wrinkles or sunspots. 

 

Dr. Sirius K. Yoo, a skin care expert and double-board-certified surgeon at San Diego's SKY Facial Plastic Surgery, suggests looking for sunscreen products labeled as broad spectrum or multi-spectrum. These products ensure your skin has a wide protection from both UVA and UVB damage. 

 

For those who suffer from redness or blotchiness, look for anti-inflammatory ingredients in your skincare-products. Having trouble with brown spots? Search for lightening agents like soy.

 

So what can you do when the damage has already been done? There are plenty of home remedies that you can try that, when done right, can revitalize and rejuvenate your skin. 

Not only are lemons a summer beverage essential, but they’re also a must-have for treating sun-damaged skin discoloration. As one of the best natural sources for antioxidants, citric acid and vitamin C, lemons are perfect for cleansing, toning and exfoliating. Citrus juices are also great for diminishing dead skin cells and stimulating new cell production. 

 

 

Tip: Try soaking a cotton ball in lemon juice and gently applying to brown sunspots. Remove after 10 minutes and rinse off with cool water. You'll be surprised at how soon you can notice the gradual lightening! 

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to limit our time in the sun and properly apply sunscreen, skin damage can still occur. Signs of skin damage include wrinkles, sunspots, freckling, uneven skin texture, and loss of elasticity. When significant changes occur, a skincare professional can suggest minimally invasive treatments and products to assist in reversing damage.

 

Dr. Yoo recommends asking your skin care professional about prescription products and surface treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light(IPL). Gentle surface treatments like IPL use light photon energy to stimulate the skin's collagen production and encourage skin rejuvenation from within. Sun damage and skin discoloration can be reduced up to 90% with brown spots and red marks nearly vanishing. When in doubt about your sun protection routine, contact a skincare professional and seek expert advice. Practicing proper sun protection can not only protect your appearance, but also protect your life!

 

Tips provided by Dr. Sirius K. Yoo, SKY Facial Plastic Surgery, www.skyfacialplasticsurgery.com