If reversing sun damage was easy, quick and painless, no one would have photodamaged skin! Although there is no "magic bullet," you can prevent further sun damage and reverse some of what you already have.

Decrease and Avoid Sun Damage

With skin care, prevention is often the best medicine. To slow down the skin’s aging process, follow these tips:

·           Avoid the mid-day sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

·           Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, pants, a hat and wrap-around sunglasses.

·           It is never too late to slow down the aging of your skin.

·           If you like to exercise outdoors, do so in the morning or the evening.

·           Make wearing a high SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen daily a "non-negotiable." Spend the extra money to find a cosmetically elegant one that your skin loves.

Reverse and Minimize Sun Damage

Sun damage is much more than a sunburn or dry skin. These are the (non-cancer) ravages of sun-weathered skin:

·           Fine and course wrinkles

·           Freckles

·           Discolored areas of the skin, or "mottled" pigmentation

·           Sallow skin tone

·           Broken capillaries

·           Sagging, inelastic skin

·           Pre-cancerous lesions and benign tumors

If you have any of the above skin concerns, there are ways to regain younger-looking skin.

Chemical peels : Your esthetician, dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon “peels" your skin with concentrations of acids (such as Glycolic, Lactic, or TCA). The epidermis is replaced by fresh, new skin, diminishing superficial lines, wrinkles, age spots and early skin pre-cancers. Depending upon the strength of the peel, expect some redness and swelling occurs.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light treatment) : Photorejuvenation with IPL treats a variety of the problems associated with sun damage. It zaps redness and capillaries and also gets rid of freckles, pigmentation and age spots numerous skin conditions at once. IPL can also be used to treat the neck, chest and hands, where sun damage is often appears first. A series of treatments is recommended.

Microdermabrasion : This mechanical exfoliation process "abrades" the skin to remove its outer layers. This procedure is especially helpful for evening out hyperpigmentation and can be performed in a spa or doctor`s office. Keep in mind that microdermabrasion is best for those with thicker, tougher skin. Sensitive types should avoid microdermabrasion.  

Retin A : According has been found to reverse some of the changes due caused by sun damage. However, the efficacy of Retin A is cumulative: it needs to be used for several months to see even slight changes. Irritation and increased sensitivity to the sun are two big drawbacks.

Antioxidants : Topical antioxidants are great for summer because they protect your skin while fighting the sun`s oxidizing rays. In fact, formulations of Vitamin C combined with Vitamin E are proven to boost the efficacy of sunscreen.

During the summer, it`s best to adhere to a simple, non-irritating skincare regimen. That means, proper cleansing, applying topical antioxidants and the religious use of sunscreen. Unless you are certain that you will avoid the sun during peak hours and wear sufficient amounts of sunscreen, reserve the more aggressive anti-aging procedures for fall and winter.

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