A tan may look nice, but that golden color is due to an injury of the skin leading to DNA damage of the Fibroblast cell which is responsible for producing collagen, elastin and hydration. It speeds up ageing and raises your risk of skin cancer.
Sun damage slows the rate at which the skin cells renew themselves causing dull, dry skin, uneven skin tone, blemishes and clogged pores. Signs may appear as dehydration, fine wrinkles, sagging skin, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin color.
The most important step you can take to protect your skin is to apply sunblock daily. There are a variety to choose from, including chemically of physical sunblocks, in cream, gel, mousse and powder form. These products will prevent DNA damage and where there is already skin damage they will help to protect the skin from any further damage. There are even sunscreens available on the market that contain DNA repair enzymes to significantly reduce the effect of sun damage in the skin.
Apart for a good sunscreen you can look at adding chemical and/or physical exfoliators to your skincare regime. These will help to speed up natural cell turnover that can be slowed down by excessive sun damage. You can also contact your skin specialist for a course of chemical peels as they offer great results in the reversal of sun damage.
Retinoids encourage skin cells to slough off and renew themselves, improving cell turnover cycles. They stimulate collagen production, lighten brown sunspots and reduce the size of pores. Lightening and brightening agents can be used in conjunction with retinol to improve hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C and antioxidants can slow down the signs of ageing and protect against free radical damage and reduce the breakdown of collagen. L-Ascorbic Acid also acts as a natural sunscreen and is therefore a great addition to your morning skincare routine.
Prevention is always better than cure. Be wise and avoid the sun. But most important, wear a smart sunscreen daily to prevent sun damage.
As a bonus, here are seven facts about sun damage that you may not know:
- 90% of visible signs of ageing is due to sun damage.
- Up to 80% of the sun’s harmful uv rays can penetrate your skin, even on cloudy days.
- You need to reapply sun protection every 2-5 hours, depending on the SPF rating of you product.
- Skin cancer can affect all ethnicities and skin tones.
- Water and snow can multiply your uv exposure because it reflects the sun’s rays.
- Tanning beds increase melanoma risk by 75%.
- Your skin isn’t protected from damage just because you’re not in a swimsuit.
We have added some of favourites below:
Lamelle Helase
Mesoestetic Melan 130
ZO Skin Health Sunscreen and Primer
Colorscience Face Shield Flex
Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush
Love your skin, Love your sunscreen,
Team Skin Deep
Erika xx