Photoaging: How & Why To Treat it?

What is Photodamaged Skin?

When your skin is exposed to the Sun repeatedly, the harmful Ultraviolet rays (UV rays) constantly enter the skin and alter the healthy skin cells. Besides the sun, other sources like your gadgets are responsible for emitting harmful blue light rays. These rays are known to enter the skin deeply and damage the skin more. Photoaging is quite different from chronological aging- the UV rays alter the normal skin structures.

Symptoms of Photoaging

As we know that Photoaging is all about signs of aging. Some of the symptoms of photoaging are:

• Drooping
• Loss of elasticity
• Thinner and translucent skin
• Broken skin
• Spider veins on cheeks, nose, and neck
• General loss of skin texture on the sun-exposed areas
• Pigmentations
• Freckles
• Liver Spots or Sunspots
• Uneven skin tone and color
• Wrinkles around eyes and mouth
• Forehead line sets
• Red rough scaly spots

Where does Photoaging appear?

Photoaging appears on the sun-exposed areas, i.e., the most visible parts of the body- face, neck, and back of the hand. These areas are more prone to exposure to the Sun and hence are in easy reach of the UV rays. Besides this, some women may also feel some photodamage on the upper chest area. Additionally, people also feel a little sunburn or sun damage on the lips.

Steps for Photodamaged Skin Treatment

1. Use sunscreen to protect yourself

About 95% Of UV rays that enter the earth and your skin are UVA. Regardless of cloudy skies or glass, these rays remain undeterred. So, avoiding the sun is not really a solution- nor covering up is enough- when you have sunscreen! Even after using the sunscreen, your skin is photodamaged and visible signs of aging can be seen, perhaps, you either don't have the right sunscreen or you use it strategically. If you are worried about the skin, then you must be a little extra vigilant! Doctors and aestheticians recommend using at least SPF 30 and one-fourth of a teaspoon on the face and ensure to get what you are promised on the label.

2. Prefer these ingredients to reverse Sun damage

Not every ingredient or sunscreen is safe or effective for your skin. However, to always give the best to your skin and be on the safer side, you must choose natural ingredients and stay far away from the chemicals. Chemicals tend to bring more damage to the skin as they enter the skin layers. Prevention is obviously the best option when it comes to reversing sun damage. But, do you know the catch? You have to commit to using sun protection daily and effectively to safeguard the skin from the harshness of the sun. Ingredients that help to reverse the sun-damaged skin are:

• Niacinamide
• Azelaic Acid
• Topical Retinol and Retinoids
• Vitamin C
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

The ingredients mentioned above should be initiated on a low concentration and increase gradually as the skin requires.

3. Cross-check ingredients in your skincare routine

After all the precautions, preventions, and remedies, if you are still not experiencing any improvement in your aging signs, then you must change your daily skincare routine. Carefully monitor all products you use and cross-check whether you have the natural ingredients or not! All the topical treatments and oral medications you use should not be reactive with the Sun. Otherwise, all your precautions are in vain.

4. When you should and shouldn’t use your products?

Worry not! We have got you covered. No matter what you use, protect your skin from the sun with a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen. If your skincare routine includes photosensitizing ingredients, then you need to be a little careful about it. First, you cannot stop using it. Second, you must prefer to use such products at night time. Because certain ingredients might degrade if they come under exposure to the Sun. So, your skin will not be photosensitive the next morning. Ingredients like Vitamin C, retinols, AHAs do make your skin a little photosensitive, causing more damage. Thus, you must avoid using them during the day if you are planning to step outside. However, if you are planning to use vitamin C serum, you may club it with sunscreen in order to boost the effects of sunscreen.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to skin vitality, prevention is the cure. So, shield your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a good SPF. Make your fight with the sun really effortless with the simple way of layering yourself with sunscreen. Now, you have them- the prevention and the cure! Go for science-based skincare products while designing your beauty skincare routine.