When the weather is fine, most people want to enjoy the outdoors and get a tan. Spending time in the sun is healthy since it can help you get vitamin D naturally. It offers other benefits, which may include better sleep, reduced depression, elevated moods, and a stronger immune system.
However, exposing yourself to the sun regularly, especially without any form of protection (e.g., sunscreen, proper clothing), leads to sun-damaged skin, such as:
- Sunburn;
- Wrinkles;
- Fine lines;
- Sagging skin;
- Uneven skin texture.
Furthermore, too much UV exposure is responsible for 80% of premature aging. So, is there any way to turn back the clock and gain back that healthy skin you used to have? Fortunately, yes.
Here are some ways to help you reverse sun damage and make your skin look radiant again.
1. Undergo laser
One effective way to reverse sun damage on your skin is to try laser skin resurfacing. This technique uses lasers on your face, neck, or arms to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other visible damages caused by the sun. It can also help tighten your skin and even out your skin color to enhance its overall glow and appearance.
When considering laser skin resurfacing, it’s recommended to speak with a reputable dermatologist before going through this treatment. A dermatologist will assess your skin type, suggest the number of laser therapy sessions you need, and share some recommendations for your skin condition.
2. Apply vitamin C serum daily
Another effective way to address sun damage is to apply vitamin C serum to your skin. The antioxidants present in vitamin C can help provide additional protection to your skin from ultraviolet (UV) light.
It’s also said that using vitamin C serum can help relieve and minimize wrinkles on your face when used daily for at least 12 weeks. So, you might want to include vitamin C serum in your daily skincare routine for better results.
3. Eat healthily
Following a healthy diet can help make your skin more resistant to UV rays and their harmful effects. Add vitamin C-rich foods, such as leafy green, citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli, to your diet. You can also include nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils that consist of fatty acid called linoleic acid, which is known to moisturize skin.
4. Minimize alcohol intake
According to research, heavy alcohol intake can lead to premature aging. When you continue to drink heavily despite following a skincare routine, the alcohol can trigger glycation, which causes skin dehydration and destroys your collagen. So, it’s best to minimize your alcohol intake. You just have to drink moderately or occasionally.
5. Catch more ZZZs
As you sleep, your skin performs repair work, like shedding old or dead skin cells and making new ones. But if you always lack sleep, your skin won’t have enough time to rejuvenate itself. Studies reveal that depriving yourself of sleep for even a single day can increase your pore size, dehydrate your skin, and remove its elasticity, which can further worsen sun damage on your skin.
To help your skin recover, get your beauty sleep every night. At least seven to nine hours of sleep will be enough to give your skin enough time to repair and rejuvenate itself.
6. Get some exercise
One of the essential factors that affects the quality of your skin is your lifestyle. Based on a study, leading an active lifestyle, such as doing exercises daily, can help boost your skin’s hydration, preventing dry skin and ultimately reversing sun damage.
Exercising for even 30 minutes every day may already help make your skin look more toned. Moreover, staying active can help you maintain a healthy weight, which is the key to avoiding sagging skin.
One form of exercise you can do to achieve healthy skin is swimming. Swimming is a good option because your skin remains cool in the water even when your body temperature increases. But if you’re not up for swimming, you can jog in the evening instead.
7. Manage stress
Stress can take a massive toll on your skin. When you feel stressed, your body produces more cortisol hormones, resulting in skin dehydration and high blood sugar. Sugar damages elastin and collagen, which are proteins that keep your skin plump and firm.
To manage stress, you can do yoga, meditate, read books, listen to music, or do other things that help you relax. Connect with nature too by taking strolls in a park or hiking.
Drinking herbal teas like peppermint and chamomile is another way to de-stress. It lets you unwind, as well as sleep better.
Key takeaway
Although it feels great to bask in the sun, too much sun exposure isn’t good for your skin. You can try laser skin resurfacing, follow a skincare routine, and live a healthy lifestyle to treat sun-damaged skin.
Keep being AllDayChic!
