How to prevent and repair sun damage?

What is photoaging, you might ask? Photoaging is another term for sun damage that is caused by extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation. We've all been told about the dangers of the sun, but how does it really happen? 

Over time ultraviolet radiation causes DNA mutations in the skin that can cause premature aging and even skin cancer. The scary part is that even if you don't experience a bad sunburn, damage still accumulates and it isn't always seen right away. It can actually show up much later in life. As a matter of fact, the sun damage that can show up in our 30's and 40's could quite possibly be from damage in our teen's and 20's!

This damage shows up as brown spots, wrinkles, sagging skin, rough texture, and even redness like broken capillaries. Unfortunately, it can also show up as skin cancer.

There are ways to help prevent photoaging.

Never go to a tanning bed, avoid the sun during peak hours between 10 am-2pm, wear hats and protective clothing, and wear a broad-spectrum SPF (reapply every 2 hours or as soon as you get out of the water and don't forget your lips, ears, and top of your scalp).

So now you know how to prevent it, but what about if you know you've accumulated some damage previously?

Well, a great place to start repairing and protecting is with topical antioxidants. Our Anti-pollution Vitamin C Booster contains Vitamin C and Ectoin which both aid in fighting the free radicals caused by UV damage. You can also see improvement in dark spots and fine lines. Ectoin can also be found in our Anti-pollution Eye Cream, Sleeping Mask and Moisturizer. Learn more about this extraordinary ingredient from our blog post.

One last bit of advice, if you have ever experienced a serious sunburn, especially with blisters, it is a great idea to check in with a dermatologist. Also, always check in if you notice new or changing spots on your skin.

Enjoy your summer and make smart decisions that your skin will thank you for later.