The sunshine is beckoning you through the window...
...and you can barely refrain from running out and basking in the warm light.
Spending too much time in the sun without protection, however, can have long-term effects on your skin. Learn about how to repair sun-damaged skin at the dermatologist's office and at home.
What To Know About Sun Damage to Skin
Photoaging, or sun damage, can have lasting effects on your skin and impact your self-esteem and confidence. To determine if you need to know how to repair sun-damaged skin, you should note any of these skin changes:
• Rough, uneven skin texture
• Wrinkling or "crow's feet"
• Loss of skin tone or sagging (reduced elasticity)
• Broken capillaries (spider veins) on the chest and nose
• Changes to your pigmentation, such as freckles, solar lentigines (liver spots) and age spots
• Blotchiness and redness
When To Visit a Dermatologist
Childhood sunburns, particularly blistering ones, can lead to extensive sun damage. A dermatologist can examine your skin to assess the scope of your photo damage. Even if you have not experienced numerous sunburns, a visit to the dermatologist is crucial if you notice any changes to moles or spots on your skin. Similarly, if an area of your skin is bleeding without cause or is painful, have a dermatologist take a look.
How To Repair Sun-Damaged Skin at the Dermatologist's Office
Your self-confidence may be suffering because of your skin concerns. A qualified dermatologist can determine a plan of treatment for your skin that involves procedures performed in the office.
Chemical Peels
Dermatologists apply glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid to the skin, removing actinic keratoses and brown spots. The procedure also rejuvenates the texture and tone of the skin.
Cryotherapy
For actinic keratoses or noncancerous age spots, dermatologists can use liquid nitrogen. The doctors freeze these areas, which shed off a few days later.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy can remove precancerous spots on the skin. The process involves the application of topical medication, followed by exposure to a red or blue fluorescent light to activate it. The combination eliminates the precancerous cells, leaving normal cells alone.
Lasers
Fractional resurfacing uses laser energy to reduce the appearance of fine lines and brown spots, improving skin's texture, while the pulsed dye laser clears away spider veins and redness.
How To Repair Sun-Damaged Skin at Home
Not all photoaging is reversible, but there are ways to treat some types of sun damage at home. High-quality emollients and humectants, particularly products with natural and organic ingredients, can smooth and hydrate rough, dry skin. These treatments can rejuvenate your skin to appear fuller.
Retinoids, such as tretinoin, are available from your dermatologist and are considered the most powerful tools for repairing sun-damaged skin. Similarly, alpha-hydroxy acids and peptides have anti-aging properties that may be useful in firming and reviving skin.
Why Prevention and Protection Are Key
The best protection against sun damage is avoiding direct exposure to the sun's harmful rays. Dermatologists recommend a sunblock with a UV rating of 30 SPF or higher, preferably mineral-based and waterproof. As for how to repair sun-damaged skin at home, a skincare routine that includes rich moisturisers and natural ingredients from Gushiv Organic Skincare can improve your skin's texture and smooth away the visible signs of photodamage.