Sun-Damaged Skin
When you were a child, did you get at least one bad sunburn? Were you a sun worshiper as a teenager or young adult. Often baking in the sun bathed in a generous coating of baby oil? Did you regularly play tennis or golf, sail, garden or power-walk in the park without first slathering on a strong sunscreen?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it’s likely that your skin has suffered some degree of sun damage (called photoaging)-even if you don’t use see it yet. That’s because sun damage sneaks up on you like a thief, eventually robbing unprotected skin of its youthful appearance and turning it leathery, yellowed, blotchy and wrinkled.
Happily, it’s never too late to start protecting your skin from the sun or repair even decades of sun damage. And since photoaging is every woman’s concern, it’s wise to add some elements of this sun-damaged home-repair kit to your primary skin-care routine, regardless of your complexion, skin type or age.
Avoiding the sun and using a strong sunscreen every day are the cornerstones of this at-home program. But a dermatologist can offer further treatment options if you need them, or even help you prevent sun damage before it shows up on your skin, says specialists.
The majority of sun damage occurs before your 18th birthday, according to a leading plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Sun damage occurs within the skin very early in life, but you may not see it in the mirror for decades.
What’s more, it doesn’t take much sun to harm your skin. Even two bad sunburns can start the ball rolling. And as appealing as it may look, a suntan is just a slower type of sun damage. Even if you always had a glorious tan, all those golden moments will add up to prematurely aged skin.
Worst of all, sun damage is cumulative. Every minute you’re out in the sun without sunscreen-biking through the park, driving in your car, even walking to and from the corner store-can age your skin. So anyone who’s serious about maintaining youthful-looking skin needs to stop soaking in the sun and start avoiding it. The benefits: a smoother, more lustrous complexion that out-glows any suntan.
If your like many people, you know wearing sunscreen protects your skin-but you keep forgetting to use it. Or you don’t want to add another step to your skin-care routine. Or you just can’t give up that sun-kissed glow. No more excuses: It’s easier then ever to shield your skin from sun damage or give up your complexion the sun-kissed glow you crave.
Simplify your sun protection. Don’t want to use sunscreen, moisturizer and foundation? Streamline your beauty routine by using a moisturizer or foundation with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. These products offer you a convenient way to get your daily dose of sunscreen-and you’ll never forget to apply it.
Use a ‘screen’, fake a tan. You don’t have to be a “paleface” to protect your skin: One of the many self-tanners on the market can give you the sun-bronzed look you crave. But self-tanners are absolutely not a substitute for sunscreen. So don’t neglect to slather on the SPF 15 whenever you step outdoors.