Sun-damaged skin is permanent, but there are several things you can do to reduce its appearance. Skincare products that might treat sun-damaged skin include retinol and vitamin C serums. Dermatologists say that sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 is essential for preventing photoaging, or the effects of sun damage.
Excess unprotected sun exposure might increase your risk of health problems like skin cancer. Find out how you can treat-and prevent-skin damage from the sun and how it might harm your health.
How to prevent sun damage:
Sun exposure is unavoidable. Still, you can protect yourself from harmful UV rays and stop photoaging in several ways. Apply sunscreen: Sunscreen delivers essential sun protection. Ensure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.2 SPF determines how well the sunscreen can block UV rays. The higher the number, the more protection you have from UV rays.
Sunscreen loses its protection over time. You'll want to reapply every two hours while you are outside or after sweating or swimming.
Cover your skin and eyes: You can reduce your risk of sun-damaged skin by covering it. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect as much of your skin as possible. Find shade, such as a tree, or use an umbrella outside if the weather is too hot for long sleeves. Try to wear light-colored clothing, which also helps protect you from the sun.
Hats provide even more coverage by shielding your face, head, and neck. Opt for a wide-brimmed hat made out of canvas or another tightly woven fabric.
The sun can damage your eyes, too. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the surrounding skin from UV rays. Avoid tanning: UV rays can come from artificial sources, such as lasers and tanning beds. Avoid indoor tanning, especially for adolescents with a high risk of melanoma, the most harmful type of skin cancer.
About 10% of people with melanoma have close relatives with the disease. People with a family history of melanoma have a higher risk than others, possibly because of shared characteristics, such as gene changes, light-colored eyes, hair, and skin, and regular sun exposure.
Skincare for sun-damaged skin: Dermatologists say sunscreen is one of the most essential products to add to your skincare regimen to prevent photoaging. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 daily. Make sure you apply sunscreen to all parts of your skin that your skin does not cover, and reapply every two hours or as needed.
Avoid using too many anti-aging skincare products, which may irritate your skin. Instead, stick to a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
A skincare routine for sun-damaged skin could look like the following: 1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, then pat dry. 2. Use any medications and treatments, like a retinoid or vitamin C serum. 3. Apply moisturizer, then sunscreen. You might save time by using a moisturizer with SPF. 4. Apply a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your lips from skin cancer.
