By: Carissa Horalek, LA, LLT
Living in South Texas, sun damage is a major dilemma amongst clients. Melasma, sunspots, age spots, and acne hyperpigmentation are the most common skin concerns clients are unhappy with. So, what is one supposed to do? Stop going to the beach? No! That does not have to be the case at all. I always educate my clients, Prevent, Protect and Treat.
Here are 5 easy steps you can do at home to combat your sun damage:
1. Apply Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ every day, year-round
Ever feel like you shouldn’t put on SPF on a cloudy day? This is a common misconception. UV rays can penetrate through clouds up to 80%. Clouds can block out sunlight, they cannot block the sun UV rays. Too much sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer, premature aging, wrinkles, dryness, dehydration, and age spots.
2. Use a Brightening Cleanser at Night
I always suggest double cleansing, first with an oil or gentle cleanser. Your first cleanser will take off makeup, sunscreen, and help break up sebum and dirt that sits on the outer layer of your skin. Your second cleanser is your target cleanser, in this case, a brightening cleanser. Massage into your skin for about 30 seconds, allow it to sit on your skin for another 30 seconds, and then remove with lukewarm water.
3. Use an Antioxidant-Rich Serum Daily
The holy grail serum of skin protection. When you think about what antioxidants do for our bodies when we ingest them, is also true when you apply them topically. Taking in antioxidants orally and applying them topically will provide you with optimal protection. An antioxidant-rich serum will help lighten and brighten your skin and provide protection by reducing and warding off free radical damage. Free radicals from the UV rays cause pigmentation, sun damage, skin cancer, and wrinkles.
4. Exfoliate
When it comes to exfoliation, it’s very easy to overdo it. Harsh face scrubs, cleansing brushes, cleansing mitts, are skin hacks I do not recommend. I suggest beginning with a chemical form of exfoliation such a Retinol at night. There are different forms of Retinol, an encapsulated Retinol is best, to begin with, if you have never used one before. This will minimize the dryness, peeling, and itching sensation Retinols can be known for. Vitamin A derivatives such as Retinol, Retinoid, Renaldyhyde, etc are meant to increase cell turnover. When the cells turnover they shed off pigmented dead skin cells. In time, you will notice your skin brighter and more youthful-looking. Any form of Vitamin A should only be used at nighttime and should be discontinued 5 days before any in-office treatment or sunny vacations.
5. Schedule In-Office Treatment
Not all skin pigmentation is treated the same. Treatments can range anywhere from facials, chemical peels, microneedling, and laser treatments. Determining the right treatment for you requires an easy one on one consultation with us at the Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery. Consultations with our Licensed Aestheticians are complimentary.
You can visit our Aestheticians Carissa and Angelica at the Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery. For more information go to www.corpusplasticsurgery.com or call us at 361-888-7417 we look forward to seeing you!
