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How to Protect your skin from sun damage
Sun damage is caused due to over exposure of sun for prolonged time. Sun damage causes premature aging of skin, sun burns, hyper pigmentation, sun tanning, dark spots, redness and rashes. Hyper pigmentation is also seen with regular sun exposure for long hours. Above all, this can also make the skin prone to cancer. To protect the skin from the harmful UVA/UVB rays, the skin produces melanin which shield the skin from skin cancer. But as a result of high melanin production, skin looks darker and dull. What should be done to protect your skin from the sun damage?
Sun damages real and it can be shown on your skin in the form of fine lines, saggy skin, freckles and even pigmentation and melasma. Other than the skin related or visible signs of sun damaged skin, it can also be a major contributor in the development of the skin cancer. Avoiding the sun damage is the best way to prevent and tackle it and to treat or reverse the sun damage is yet another measure that you can take. Undoubtedly, sunlight has so many benefits for our skin and body that we can’t fully avoid the sun, however limiting the time spent under the sun is the key.
Our skin makes Vitamin D because of the sunlight and it is crucial for the body functioning. Sun exposure not only keeps your mood and stress level down but it also keeps a check on depression. Let’s take a look at how you can avoid the harmful effect of Sun damage. At the last segment of the article we will talk about the natural DIYs and methods with which you’ll be able to combat the sun damage and sun burnt skin. These potential and tried remedies will also help to minimize the effects of sun damage like the pigmentation, sun burn, sun tanning and temporary darkening of the skin. Here are some tips that you should follow to get good skin.
Prevention From Sun Damage
Limiting your time out in the sun is the best way to avoid the sun damage. However, most of us have to go outdoors regularly for work, activities and certain trainings. Therefore, sunglasses with UV light filter to protect the eyes from the direct sun damage.
Sun rays are most damaging during 11 am to 3 pm when the sun hits almost directly thus is more harmful. The time of the day sees are the strongest sun rays hence, can cause serious sunburn. Wear protective clothing when you go outdoor especially for long periods in the middle of the day. Also use hats and caps to protect your face and eyes against the sun’s harmful rays and effects. Also make it a habit to apply enough of sunscreen exposed body part. Apply a sunscreen on the exposed skin 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Sunscreen prevents sun damage though they should be reapplied after 3-4 hours to keep their effects. Sunscreen application is the best way to combat the sun damage. When you go outside in the sun, make sure to apply sunscreens.
Sunscreens for Sun Damage Care
Now, let’s talk about the sunscreens in detail for sun damage combat. You must be wondering what the SPF means in sunscreen? SPF stands for the Sun Protection Factor. This number indicates the amount of protection you will be getting, when you go out in the sun. Higher the SPF numbers, the greater the amount of protection it will give you. Therefore, we should use a sunscreen which is over SPF 30 or more. Sunscreens must be applied at least 15-30 minutes before you go under the sun. Reapply the sunscreen every 2-3 hours, when you spend long hours in sun. Even if you are wearing makeup, you shall use SPF. For sensitive skin sunscreens are specially formulated to suit the sensitive skin type.
Can We Reverse The Sun Damage?
Important question is once you are sunburned, then what you should do. We have earlier told you how you can prevent the sun damage, but if you are already Sun damaged or your skin has visible signs of damage then what can you do about it? While your skin is already sun burnt and damaged, you can certainly take help from the below-mentioned remedies and treatments that we have shared. These treatments will not only reverse the sun damaged skin and give relief but will also reduce the sun tanning and darkening of the skin.
Retinoids for Sun Damage
To reverse the sun skin damage, the best thing you can do is to apply retinoids. Retinol or retinoids are the compounds which gently exfoliate the skin and boost the collagen synthesis in your skin. Dermatologists recommend using a serum or a cream loaded with retinols. This will certainly benefit the skin however the application of right amount of sunscreen should be there. This works well to smoothen the fine lines and dark spots.
To reduce the dark spots and age spots because of the sun burning you can use the home remedies. Some gels and lotions are available for the sun burnt skin to give soothing.
Diet and Antioxidants
One can also go for the fruits and vegetables which contain beta carotene. Fruits and vegetables rich in beta carotene are carrots, spinach, cantaloupe and more. Try to include foods which are rich in natural powerful antioxidants to have a great defense under the sun. Antioxidants found in diet in fruits and vegetables, which are also natural sunscreen for the skin. These antioxidants will fight the free radicals which can harm the skin potentially by causing dullness and aging prematurely.
Include beta carotenes, omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin C and Vitamin E for better looking skin and to reverse the sun damage.
Home Remedies and DIY Face Packs For Sun Damaged Skin
Anti tan face pack to prevent sun damage
Using an anti tan face pack once you come from sun will make sure that whatever tanning you have on the face will get lighting and will not be hard to get rid of later on. This way you can protect your skin from sun damage and also protect the natural fair complexion. Those who are already fair can try this face pack so that the skin complexion stay as it is.
Here are 2 anti tan face pack recipes that you may try in the evening every day or every other day.
1. Curd Anti tan face pack
Curd is one of the best ingredients to get rid of the sun damage and sun tan. To prepare this curd anti tan face pack. Take one teaspoonful of curd and mix a half teaspoonful of besan in it. Mix and use on the face. Keep for 15 minutes then wash off.
2. Cucumber juice anti tan face pack
Mix cucumber juice and tomato juice in equal amount and apply on the face leave for 20 minutes then rinse off. This is ideal for sun tan removal.
Scrub packs for sun damage control
If you’re going out in the sun regularly then to protect your skin from sun damage, you should try the above mentioned face packs and some scrub packs. Scrub packs are for the face and body which helps to gently remove the dead skin on the body. This helps to expose the new skin and the ingredients used in the scrub packs will also help the skin to combat the sun damage effects on the skin like the redness, darkness, tanning, wrinkling of the skin, brown spots etc.
To prepare a scrub pack for tan removal for face and body. Take half a cup of sugar (granules should be small), one small tomato, one lemon and 3 teaspoonful of honey. Squeeze the tomato juice and the lemon juice along with the other two ingredients. Mix and apply on the entire body while you are in the shower. Scrub the body for 5-6 minutes, focusing on every body part. Keep this for 10 minutes then was off and finish the shower. When you do that you will not need the shower gel, soaps etc. This can be done every other day.
With these tips you can very well protect your skin from sun damage effectively. Make sure to have balanced diet and lots of water. Healthy diet can do magic for the skin.
