Totally irresistible! When summer arrives and the sun is shining, it is hard not to think of basking in its warm glow. We have all experienced it, haven’t we? But what happens when you get carried away and your dear skin ends up bearing the brunt of your sun-soaked adventures? The dreaded skin sun damage, of course! Harley Street Formulations experts are spilling easy ways to repair and even prevent the damage caused by our overzealous rendezvous with the sun.
We Have Zero Hate for Sunshine
Sunshine has an amazing effect on our mood, sleep, and it even helps our bodies produce that super important Vitamin D.
It’s like a natural potion of goodness. But, like anything good, overdoing it can have negative effects, especially on our skin.
“I will never choose between UV protection and beauty again.”
Hillary Fogelson
So what is that Hillary Fogelson, a writer, blogger, melanoma survivor, advocate for sun protection, and an expert on sunscreen trying to preach to us here?
Too much ‘unprotected’ exposure to sun may lead to unwanted signs of sun damaged skin, which is in fact, nature’s way of reminding us that moderation is key.
Understanding Skin Sun Damage
According to Yale Medicine, sun damaged skin also known as photoaging, photodamage, solar damage, or sun damage happens when your skin is exposed to UV light without any barrier of sunscreen. This can ultimately lead to DNA changes at cellular level.
These words might sound fancy, but this photodamage works beneath your skin’s surface, primarily affecting the dermis.
This means that even though you may not notice any visible signs of damage immediately, it can gradually become apparent over time.
What Does Sun Really Do To Your Skin?
While sun basking may be reinvigorating and give you that beautiful goldenish bronzy glow, it comes with a huge price!
- Pigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Premature wrinkling and fine lines
- It dries out your skin and makes it look dry
- Breakdown of collagen that gives you youthful skin
- Spider veins (broken capillaries) are most commonly found around the nose and chest
Whether your skincare routine is to keep wrinkles at bay or achieve acne-free skin, you need sun protection, rain or shine.
So you are witnessing those signs already?
In such a scenario where the damage has already been done calls for ‘fire fighting’. Don’t worry, dear tanned readers. There is still a chance to revive your troubled skin.
Firstly, grab some emergency Aloe Vera gel from nature’s own apothecary to soothe your sun damaged skin on face and other parts of your body.
By applying a generous amount of aloe vera to the damaged areas can not only help soothe your poor skin, but also reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
You are welcome!
This article is aimed at sparking hope in all of you who are regretting their reckless behaviour under the sun through the years and wish to at least start with a promising skincare plan.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a study conducted back in 2013, a study revealed that people who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on a daily basis can actually experience a remarkable 24 percent reduction in skin aging compared to those who neglect regular sunscreen use.
Harley Street Formulations is truly obsessed by the fact that such a simple product like sunscreen can wield such a powerful impact on human skin!
Reclaiming Your Skin With Clinical Grade Skincare
Vitamin C Serum: The Collagen Booster
Vitamin C is a master at repairing collagen damage, which is super super important for maintaining firm and elastic skin.
We like to think of it like a shield that protects your precious collagen from harm, making sure your skin stays plump and supple.
How does it do that, you ask? Well, this superhero has these incredible antioxidant properties that neutralise harmful free radicals during the day.
According to The Baylor College of Medicine, sunscreen alone might not be enough to shield the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. A high SPF above 50 may not offer any extra sun protection but when combined with a powerful antioxidant like vitamin C gives the skin an upgraded force field against ultraviolet rays.
No wonder why Revitalise C20 vitamin C serum with a whopping strength of 20% L-Ascorbic Acid, has been a hot seller since the beginning of summer 2023!
Should you skin this skin-vestment? No.
Do you need this winning combo in your morning skincare routine? Yes!
Vitamin C is there to save the day, every day!
Dual Retinoids: Speeds Up The Skin Cells Turnover
Your night time skincare ritual is simply incomplete without a topical Vitamin A cream. Experts at Harley Street Formulations have designed dual retinol cream called Stimulate RE to fulfil your purpose of at home skin rejuvenation.
How does this UK’s cult favourite do this?
Well, by reducing pore size, lightening those unsightly dark spots, and even boosting collagen production. All these effects combined minimise the appearance of wrinkles, leaving your skin looking bright, fresher looking with a smoother skin texture.
So dear sun kissed readers, when you make a habit of using retinol cream enriched with 0.5% retinol and retinyl palmitate, regularly, you will start to see fewer skin imperfections, unclogged pores, and a visible reduction in hyper pigmentation.
Best Defence Against Sun Damage Is Offence!
Think of it as a protective shield for your skin, guarding it against the harsh rays of the sun. So, whenever you venture out into the great outdoors, slather on that sunscreen like it’s the elixir of eternal youth.
A Higher SPF For Skin Sun Damage
Wear your sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and that my dear readers is simply non-negotiable!
While sunscreen is undoubtedly the best weapon of sun protection, top dermatologists want you to also recognise that relying solely on sunscreen is not sufficient.
You need to beef up your skin protection by following some simple, yet very handy measures for superior safeguard against sun damage to skin.
Wrap yourself in protective clothing and don a stylish hat
Embrace the elegance of sun-protective clothing that shields your skin from those harmful UV rays. Plus, adding a fashionable wide-brimmed hat not only exudes charm but also provides additional coverage.
Chase the shade during peak hours
The sun’s rays are at their strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM, and that’s when you should seek refuge in the shade. It’s the perfect opportunity to give your precious skin a well-deserved break and significantly reduce the chances of a distressing sunburn.
Looking to banish sun damage on face?
Peel it away!
Top Sun Damaged Skin Treatment Hailed By Dermatologists
Professional-Grade Chemical Peel
Chemical peels, especially those carried out in a doctor’s office, offer an efficient solution for restoring and repairing your face, hands, and neck, especially if they are hit by sun damage.
How does this treatment work for your skin sun damage?
The peel’s acidic properties work to erase uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and other bothersome skin concerns that you would rather do without.
As the healing process begins, it unveils an envious glow and flawless complexion that will leave you in awe.
So there you have it. A robust skincare ritual against UV damage at home coupled with a clinical skin restoration with skin peels in a skincare clinic.
So, can clinical grade skincare completely reverse skin sun damage?
According to Dr Haq, a renowned skincare expert and cosmetic surgeon at Harley Street Formulations, the human skin is a remarkable organ that has the ability to heal and regenerate to some extent.
When exposed to too much sunlight, your skin undergoes certain changes such as the increased production of melanin, the dark pigment responsible for tanning.
While these changes can be corrected to some degree, they cannot be completely reversed.
Dr Haq goes on to say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
By this he means to Protect, Nourish and Rejuvenate.
Dr Ahmed Haq’s Key Takeaways For Skincare 2023
Powerful Antioxidants
Antioxidants are your best bets in this battle against sun damage skin. Vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants, have amazing anti-inflammatory properties.
They can help your skin cells maintain their normal DNA, even when exposed to those free radicals.
By safeguarding your cellular DNA and preventing damage caused by oxidative stress, these antioxidants let you embrace a healthy looking skin for years to come.
Dual Retinoids For Efficient Skin Repair
“I can never have enough retinol and retinoids.” Says Dr Ahmed. Topical retinoids, like the ones found in products such as Stimulate RE (Retinol +), have been scientifically proven to turn back the clock on skin sun damage.
A Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
Rain or shine, it is super important to wear sunscreen every single day. Besides shielding your skin from surface-level damage, it also provides a strong defence against deep UV damage.
To get the most out of your sunscreen, make sure to use it all year round, not just during beach vacations, and don’t forget to reapply it every few hours.
A Word Of Caution For The Sunshine Fans
Next time you feel drawn to bask in the sun’s inviting warmth, keep these words of skincare experts in mind.
It is totally fine to embrace the happiness that sunshine brings, but remember, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
Take care of your skin, protect your skin from the ageing UVA rays that cause premature wrinkles to show up as well as the damaging UVB rays, leading to sunburns.
Respect your skin’s limits and build a skincare routine with an SPF 30 or higher no matter what. Supplement your protection against skin sun damage with a Vitamin C serum like Revitalise C12 or C20.
Your skin will congratulate you for doing so…promise!
With such a brilliant approach, we assure you that you will savour the sunshine without any regrets.
