How to Reduce Sun Damage

Ten years ago, the summer sun meant it was time to get a tan. These days, we know that too many rays will result in wrinkles and can even put your life at risk. Modern medicine has told us that it is time to tackle the sun damage of our youth. The blissful ignorance of our youth has caught up to us, resulting in age spots, patchy pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. Luckily, experts have found ways to boost your skin’s health and reverse the effects of all those days in the sun.

Step One: Exfoliate

The effects of time in the sun can take years to manifest themselves, but the time to treat your skin is now. You can exfoliate with an abrasive scrub, loofah, body brush or pumice stone. Scrub your entire body with the loofah, stone or brush, being carful around on the sensitive skin of the face. Exfoliation works by removing dead skin cells, giving the skin a radiant sheen. Dead skin cells hold dark pigment that is accumulated from years in the sun, exfoliating can shake these dark patches loose!

Step Two: Antioxidants

Experts recommend the nightly use of topical creams that are rich in antioxidants to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Antioxidants help protect the skin’s collagen and elastic tissue by creating a barrier from free radicals. You can find antioxidants in a variety of creams, serums and even food! Vitamin C rich foods are also rich with antioxidants and are great for reducing uneven brown spots, as well as offering protection.

Step Three: Sunscreen

This step may seem obvious, but chances are you are not using enough sunscreen! To maximize protection, apply a SPF 15 or higher lotion 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply often. Maintain the improvements you have made by following steps one and two by slathering on sunscreen as often as possible. Your skin will thank you!