We can’t live without the sun. Its light and heat are what makes it possible for life to exist. But the sun isn’t all light and love—it has a (figurative) dark side, too. When you’re out in the sun for too long, it can damage your skin in a number of different ways. Of course, you love spending time outdoors with your friends, family, and pets. So, what can you do to protect your skin yet still enjoy a lovely warm day outdoors? If you know what kinds of problems the sun can cause, you can be more proactive in protecting your skin. You’ll also know what products and solutions you need to repair your skin after you’ve been outdoors.
Here are a few ways the sun can wreak havoc on your skin and how to combat them:
Age Spots and Wrinkles
No one wants to look older than they really are (well, unless you’re under 21 and trying to get into a club!). Being out in the sun for a long period of time can result in dark spots appearing on your face, hands, arms, and other parts of your body. The older you get, the more prevalent these signs are. This is because the older you are, the weaker your skin’s defenses against the sun become.
So, what can you do to prevent age spots? Be sure you ALWAYS use sunscreen. If you have sun spots already, you can make use of a good concealer and spot-fading products, such as Clarity CE Ferulic or Pure C Crystals from Cosmedix, that contain vitamin C and help to medicate and treat your skin. Laser rejuvenation and IPL (intense pulse light) are other amazing options for erasing age spots or making them much less visible. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that you should also visit your doctor to make certain that the spots are truly age spots and not signs of skin cancer.
By now we all know that another gift from the sun is…you guessed it…wrinkles. In fact, researchers have discovered that the sun’s UV rays actually cause 80 percent of skin aging, including wrinkles. That same study determined that just two percent more damage to the skin on your face makes you look about three years older. (Eek!)
Fortunately for all of us, there are a number of skincare products and treatments that can help reduce these wrinkles, effectively rewinding the clock. Advanced Retinol cream, for example, can minimize those fine lines and wrinkles that you hate so much. While treatments like skin rejuvenation, dermal fillers, and PDO Thread Lift can help restore elasticity to your skin, eliminate fine lines and help you look younger and fresher.
Sunburn and Skin Cancer
Getting a sunburn is one of the most obvious signs that you’ve been outdoors too long…not to mention it hurts! While the melanin in your skin does help repel the harsh UV rays, it can’t protect you for hours at a time. That’s why you get sunburn. A minor sunburn is an annoyance. It hurts, and the skin itches and peels away. If you get severe sunburn, though, your skin may blister and become incredibly painful. You can even come down with a fever and go into shock—though, thankfully, this isn’t common.
Just as most people understand sunburn is a problem, we all know what the solution is: wear sunscreen! A good sunscreen with a high SPF MUST contain zinc oxide. This is the ONLY physical barrier to protect skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Todays zinc formulations are transparent, no more “white out” formulas. This will help keep your skin safe from the sun. Not all sunscreens are created equal, Elta MD’s line of sunscreen is the only sunscreen we offer here at Clarity because it’s safe for sensitive skin and includes zinc oxide which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Now that you know which sunscreen to use, you still must remember to use it and reapply it when you are out in the sun.
Getting repeat sunburns can also lead to skin cancer. In fact, the more cases of sunburn you’ve gotten in the past, the higher your chances of getting skin cancer. Previous skin damage and family history are two of the biggest risk factors for skin cancer. There are three types of skin cancer—squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. These are all serious conditions that will require intensive therapy to combat, and in some cases, they can be fatal. To minimize your risk, always make sure you wear sunscreen with an SPF 30 AND zinc oxide while outdoors. Wear a hat, too, and consider wearing lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants if you have had skin cancer or scares in the past.
If you’ve already been sunburnt, you want to apply a moisturizer to the area that contains soy or aloe vera. Clarity Moistulush, for example, is a good option because it includes aloe and a number of other ingredients that help the skin repair itself. You also want to drink a good amount of water since sunburn will actually draw away some of the fluid in your skin. To relieve the pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and take a cold shower or bath.
These are just a few of the skin problems that can occur if you don’t protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays, but don’t let this stop you from enjoying the outdoors! Just make sure you take the necessary precautions if you know you’ll be exposed to the sun for more than an hour. That way, you can slow down the signs of aging, while maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.
