With the heat waves that swept the United Kingdom, some of us could have remained in the sun a little more than we should.
And by when August is wrapped, your skin can carry more than a tan. A summer of exposure to UV rays, even with regular SPF, can leave your brand in the form of pigmentation, opacity and wrinkles.
But is it possible to undo the damage?
Doctors share their ideas about the signs, treatments and preventive care that can in fact make a real difference.
Detect the signals
The unequal tone, new freckles or an approximate texture can be more than only seasonal side effects.
“The most common signs of solar damage are hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines, freckles, dark spots and a dry and rough texture,” says skin health and the cosmetic doctor, Dr. Amiee Vyas MBBS, founder of Doctor Amiee Facial Aesthetic and the skin.
It is not just aesthetics either. Persistent discoloration patches, particularly those that appear symmetrically in areas such as cheeks, nose or forehead, can be signs of melasma, a more stubborn form of pigmentation.
“It can also notice dark spots that were not there before or areas where the skin feels thicker or more coriacea,” explains aesthetics, the aesthetics, Dr. Jessica Halliley.
Can you undo the damage?
While the effects of exposure to UV rays are not technically reversible, the good news is that they can be treated, and quite effectively. “Sun damage cannot be reversed as such, but it can be treated and improved significantly,” Vyas explains.
The visible improvement in tone, texture and radiation is possible, especially when routines are combined at home with professional help.
“Look for skin care care with active ingredients such as vitamin A, that is, retinols, retinal, vitamin C, such as L-ascorbic acid and peptides, these support cell renewal, repair and stimulation of impulse collagen,” Halliley explains.
Powerful assets will have the greatest effect on visible signs of solar damage.
“The most effective ingredients to treat the skin damaged by the sun are retinoids, vitamin C, antioxidants and AHA,” says Vyas, who are commonly found in sera and tóers.
Ordinary retinol 1% in Squalane, £ 8.50
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleaning Gel, £ 12.60, Boots
Medk8 C-Tetra Advanced, £ 69
Antipodes Diem vitamin C Water cream that pigments correction, £ 26.60 (it was £ 38), it looks fantastic
Should you make a trip to the clinic?
For those who seek faster or more dramatic results, professional treatments work deeper than only topical skin care, but it is important to know that the good treatment for your concerns.
“Clinic treatments, such as chemical exfoliations, directed laser pigmentation treatments or micro needle can accelerate the results,” says Dr. Halliley.
She says that micro-narration is particularly effective for stimulation of collagen and the treatment of pigmentation if the aging effects of the sun are their main concern.
Laser technology can also focus on deeper problems such as melanin deposits and fine lines. Laser treatment “effectively addresses sun damage by attacking and breaking melanin, the pigment responsible for sunscreen and unequal skin tone,” explains Vyas.
“It also helps stimulate collagen production, which can improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles associated with sun damage.”
When to start treating sun damage
While repair can begin at any time, there is a strategic benefit at the beginning of the summer.
“You can start at any time of the year, but I recommend starting in autumn when UV rays are low,” says Vyas. Justification is simple: lower UV exposure means less risk of additional damage while your skin is still healing.
The most aggressive treatments, such as shells or lasers, are left better until the sun weakens.
“For more invasive options, at the end of summer and Principles of Autumn are the ideal time to start,” Halliley points out, “said, a good skin care regime focused on repair can begin at any time.”
How to protect your skin in the future
Prevention does not end with summer holidays. Daily hydration and SPF50 are not negotiable, even in British climate.
“Be sure to use SPF50 throughout the year to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun,” says Vyas. Wide wing hats, sunglasses and sun avoidance during peak hours may seem exaggerated in October, but the skin remembers every ray.
Some simple habits (properly cleaning, collecting sunscreen, avoiding excess exfollents) can make a difference of difference in maintaining the results of their efforts.
While sun damage is quite difficult to reverse, protection and prevention could not be easier. “Add a broad spectrum sunscreen to your morning routine and recharge if you are out for longer periods,” says Halliley.
Q+a niocinamide facial serum, £ 6.95
Lancaster Sun Beauty Face Cream Spf50, £ 22.40 (it was £ 28), it looks fantastic
