If you spend time outside without protecting your skin from the sun or you use a tanning bed, harmful UV rays can cause a lot of damage to your skin. You may notice changes such as wrinkles, age spots, loose skin, blotchy complexion, spider veins, or actinic keratoses. This sun damage to the skin is also known as photoaging or premature aging. While most skin damage is permanent, there are some treatments that can reduce or even reverse some of the signs of sun damage. Here are some of the most effective ways to treat sun damaged skin:
1. Retinoids
Retinoids are compounds that are often recommended to treat sun damaged skin. These can be in the form of creams or serums, and they work by boosting the amount of collagen in your skin. A healthcare provider can prescribe a retinoid, or you can find the less-potent form called retinol in over-the-counter products. These compounds can smooth fine lines, fade dark spots, and make pores look smaller. It’s recommended to apply retinoids to the skin at night since sunlights renders them inactive.
2. Antioxidants
Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and other antioxidants can help slow skin damage and signs of aging that result from chemicals called free radicals. Eating foods that contain antioxidants like fruits, vegetables, and green tea can make the skin more flexible and supple as well as reduce sun-related wrinkles. You can also apply creams with antioxidants to your skin to defend against sun damage to collagen and elastin and to improve existing signs of sun damage.
3. Exfoliants
Sun damaged skin has a slower rate of cell turnover. Because it takes longer for these cells to replace themselves, you may experience dry or dull skin, uneven skin tone, clogged pores, and blemishes. Chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acid can stimulate faster skin cell turnover to help repair sun damaged skin and reduce the appearance of photoaging.
4. Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a non-surgical procedure that a dermatologist can perform using various solutions. Chemical peels vary in depth and can be superficial, medium, or deep depending on your skin type and the goals of the therapy. This procedure works by removing the outermost layers of skin. This allows new, clear skin to come to the surface. This is a great treatment for sun damaged skin because it can remove areas of uneven pigmentation, fine lines, and precancerous lesions.
5. Laser Therapy
Laser treatments can be used to help reduce the appearance of sun damage on the skin. Short pulses of concentrated light are targeted at the skin to remove specific layers or areas, revealing fresh, new skin beneath. This type of therapy may help minimize wrinkles, uneven skin pigmentation, fine scars, age spots, and more.
6. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
Light-based devices can be used to help treat sun damaged skin. Called intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy or photo rejuvenation, this type of therapy delivers pulses of light with multiple wavelengths. It can be used to improve skin texture, brown spots, redness, blotchiness, and broken veins.
7. Lightening Agents
If you have sun or age spots on your skin, skin lightening creams can help. These products utilize active ingredients such as hydroquinone, glycolic acid, or kojic acid to help lighten dark spots and reduce the appearance of superficial blemishes and uneven pigmentation. You can get skin lightening products over the counter or with a prescription.
Skin Lightening Compounds at Midtown Express Pharmacy
Compounded skin lightening products can be a great solution to treat sun damaged skin. These compounds can be customized for your specific needs to help reduce the appearance of dark spots, uneven complexion, and other signs of sun damage that contribute to premature aging. Reach out to us at Midtown Express Pharmacy to learn more about custom skin lightening compounds and how they can help you achieve healthier, brighter skin.
