Tap to Read ➤

How to Repair Sun Damaged Skin

Bidisha Mukherjee
Sun damaged skin can be repaired by restoring the strength in the structure of the skin cells. Here is a brief description of various ways used for repairing such damaged skin.
When our skin is exposed to the sun, then its ultraviolet radiation causes extensive damage to the skin. The connective tissues of the skin loses its natural strength and flexibility.
As a result, the skin becomes loose and sagging, and wrinkles appear on them. Sunspots, freckles, skin discoloration, rough, and dry skin are the other symptoms of sun burnt skin. Usually, these symptoms are not visible immediately. They become noticeable only after some time.

Skin Care for Sun Burn

There are various techniques suggested by dermatologists for treating sun burnt skin. A few of the popular methods are as follows:

Skin Creams

There are several skin creams available that can be used for treating the damaging effect of the sun. One of the key component of these creams is retinoids or vitamin A. It promotes the production of collagen, which helps improve the texture of the skin.

Chemical Peels

Here, certain chemicals are applied on the skin which reacts with its top layers and burn them. It is then replaced by a new soft, smooth, and firm skin. Regular use of chemical peels can bring about significant improvement in the skin condition.

Microdermabrasion

In this method, the top layer of the damaged skin is exfoliated using small crystals and a new layers of skin appears on the treated area. Just one session is not enough to achieve the desired effect, and it has to be repeated a number of times. Make sure microdermabrasion is carried out by a qualified professional only.

Laser Therapy

This is an effective treatment even for a severely damaged skin. For this, laser light is used to get rid of the wrinkles, fine lines, sunspots, etc. Another advantage of laser therapy is that it promotes collagen production which in turn make the skin look much younger after the treatment.

Natural Remedies

Many people consider that the best treatment is by natural means. This is because they are less expensive and do not require frequent visits to a dermatologist's clinic. Here are a few ways to repair the skin naturally

Proper Skin Care

Regular skin exfoliation is a must to minimize the damage caused by sun exposure. This eliminates the rough and dead skin cells from the body, and thereby improves the skin tone.
The skin should be thoroughly moisturized with a good quality skin moisturizer to restore its natural soft, supple, and healthy texture. This should be done at least twice a day for best results.

Right Diet

Consuming nutritious foods may heal the skin from within and make it appear healthy. Foods that are rich in vitamin C and vitamin E have been proved to be highly beneficial for this purpose.
You should also drink plenty of water to keep the skin in a well hydrated condition.

Regular Exercises

Exercise helps us to get back healthy and youthful appearance of the skin. It improves the blood circulation of the body and ensure faster healing of the skin injury caused by harmful radiation of the sun.
You must try to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Prior to stepping out in the sun, application of sunscreen lotion with SPF value of at least 15 is essential to prevent sunburn.
The entire body should be properly covered with long-sleeved clothes. With these kinds of preventive measures, it is likely that you will face lesser problem due to sun damaged skin when you grow old.
Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.