Protecting your skin from sun damage

After an especially long winter, most of us are pining for the arrival of summer! Summer is a time of carefree fun but applying sunscreen and protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays is important not only in reducing the risk of skin cancer but also in preventing premature aging. Here at Spa MD we offer the products and treatments that will correct damage done from previous sun exposure and protect your skin moving forward.

First and foremost apply your sunscreen! This is the easiest, most affordable preventative measure you can take against protecting yourself from UVA and UVB. The professionals at Spa MD recommend the line of Obagi sunscreens. Follow the link to learn more about their fabulous products!

Diligently slather on the sunscreen every two hours and pay attention to the smaller places that people often miss, like ears, lips, legs and the backs of the arms. Additionally, clothes and hats that shield your skin from the sun give you an extra layer of protection, allowing you the luxury of not having to reapply sunscreen every two hours. But what about those times when you have gotten a sunburn?

Sunburns happen.

Many people have experienced sunburns over the course of their lives. Whether from childhood, the invincibility of young adulthood and subsequent tanning sessions, or unfortunate scenarios where you didn’t realize you’d be exposed for as long as you were. Sunburns happen to even the most diligent! Unfortunately, with repeated incidents, they can start taking a toll later in life in the form of skin damage.

At its’ worst, sun exposure without protection can cause skin cancer, which is the number one reason to wear sunscreen. However, even if you don’t end up with skin cancer, sun damage results in cosmetic issues including fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Luckily there are ways to turn back the clock and get your skin back from track!

Eliminating future overexposure is paramount to reversing damage that has already been done. In addition, there are also several routines and procedures you can incorporate to restore skin to a healthier condition.

1. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are nature’s protective army. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that try to steal electrons from healthy molecules. Vitamin C in its pure form as L-Ascorbic acid reduces this oxidative stress by donating electrons to neutralize damage. This prevents cellular damage and has a big impact on your skin’s health and appearance.

2. Hydroquinone Products

In addition to a great sunscreen and antioxidant protection, hydroquinone will take your skin care to the next level by not only lightening existing brown spots, but also stopping the formation of new brown spots. Hydroquinone works by decreasing the production and increasing the breakdown of melanosomes, the melanin pigment granules in the skin’s pigment cells, melanocytes. It does this by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to make melanin. Several of the Obagi products sold at Spa MD contain this prescription ingredient and we would love to help you choose which one is best for you!

3. Have an IPL performed
Using Intense Pulsated Light (IPL), photofacials, are a quick, non-invasive way to deeply rejuvenate and reinvigorate skin. It’s intended purpose is to remove brown spots and broken capillaries caused by sun damage.

For more procedures that can help with reversing the impact of sun damage, visit Spa MD online or connect with us on Facebook to schedule a free consultation.