How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin - VIBLOK

How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin

How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin

Let’s start by saying that preventing sun damage on skin is easier than repairing it. So, if you’re reading this, you are probably in the second phase already…

Either way, we just wanted to quickly remind you that you should use a SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, all year round and reapply it every 80 minutes. Also, try to avoid peak sun hours, and if you do go out try to cover exposed skin with the right clothes.

After all this pep talk, let's get into it... The first step in reversing sun damaged skin is preventing further damage.

What kind of damage does the sun cause on your skin?

- wrinkles
- loss of skin elasticity
- age, dark spots
- dry, rough skin
- spider veins

The tricky thing about sun damage skin is that you can’t always see the effects right away, your skin might look flawless, but then you’ll visit a dermatologist, and gasp in horror at the results. That’s because many signs of sun damage take a while to fully reach the surface.

Before talking about possible remedies, we must say that before doing any of these, you should start protecting your skin with sunscreen even more than before.

Dermatologists suggest using over-the-counter or prescribed treatments of the following:

Retinoids

Topical retinoids are derived from vitamin A. It improves skin cell turnover, stimulates collagen production and elastin, and addresses uneven skin tone. Prescription retinoids from your dermatologist tend to be more effective with fast results than over-the-counter ones.

Antioxidants: Vitamin C

Antioxidants slow the skin’s degeneration due to free radicals. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to combat the formation of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. It contributes to the production of collagen and elastin is largely responsible for keeping the skin looking healthy and youthful, so Vitamin C will revitalize your complexion and slowly reverse the effects of sun damage.

You can add more Vitamin C doses to your routine by taking supplements or eating citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries, and leafy greens.

Exfoliants

Sun damage slows down skin cell turnover resulting in dull, dry skin, uneven skin tone, and even blemishes and clogged pores. Chemical exfoliants can help remove the top layer of dead skin cells so clear skin can come to the surface. Options can range from alpha-hydroxy or salicylic acid cream you apply yourself to a medium-depth peel, which you get from a dermatologist.

Catch More ZzZs

The idea that you can sleep away your skin troubles is partially true. Nighttime is when the skin does its cell repair work. This is when your skincare routine game should be the strongest. Skin gets warmer at night, so products are absorbed better and yield faster results. Try to snooze for at least 7-9 hours a night.

Healthy Diet

Nutrition is just as important for your skin as it is for the rest of your body. You should eat more vegetables, olive oil, nuts, seeds, fish, green tea, cocoa, and legumes. Additionally, aim to have high dosis of vitamin C. Healthy diet means fewer wrinkles. Some of these foods also contain healthy fats, which moisturize skin. This will not only repair your skin that has been damaged by the sun, but its overall health.

Exercise

Lastly, boost your heart rate and blood flow to help your body undo skin aging by delivering more nutrients to cells that repair the damage. A good workout session will serve your skin as detox and makes it more toned.



Written by VIBLOK® Creative Team