How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage
If your skin has seen its fair share of summers, chances are you’re starting to see the not-so-sunny effects. At Wild Moon Collective in Libertyville, IL, we’re strong believers in shielding your precious skin from harm. That’s why we’re going to discuss how to protect your skin from sun damage (and a few treatments that may help you reverse it).
Sun exposure can cause significant damage to your skin, including premature aging, wrinkles, sunburn… not to mention an increased risk of skin cancer. That’s why it’s crucial to take proactive steps to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Let’s dive into how you can safeguard your skin and prevent further sun damage.
How Does Sun Exposure Damage Skin?
That scorching sun damages our skin primarily with the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation it emits. There are two types of UV rays that reach the Earth's surface: UVA and UVB.
UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin, leading to premature aging and wrinkling. UVB rays, on the other hand, primarily affect the outer layers of the skin by causing sunburn. Prolonged exposure to either of these types of UV rays can result in long-term skin damage.
How to Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage
Lets start with the basics: How do you protect your delicate skin from the sun’s harmful rays? The methods we’ll discuss have to do with both shielding the skin and keeping it healthy to prevent damage.
Use a High-Quality Sunscreen
One of the most effective ways to protect your skin is by using high-quality sun protection products with a high SPF. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to apply it generously to all exposed areas of your skin, including your face, neck, arms, and legs.
Here’s the most important step that most people neglect when it comes to sunscreen: You MUST reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating. Otherwise, you’ll wind up sunburned.
Cover Up Your Skin
Besides sunscreen, covering your skin offers an additional layer of protection. Your face, shoulders, and the back of your neck are the most susceptible to direct contact with UV rays, so wear a wide-brimmed hat to shield these areas from direct sunlight.
You should also opt for lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts can provide excellent protection.
Of course, the easiest way to avoid sunburn and sun damage is to stay out of the sun completely. You don’t have to miss out on the outdoor fun, though. You can simply seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak sun hours from 10 am to 4 pm.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Water is life, and maintaining proper hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and minimizing sun damage. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Also, use a high-quality daily moisturizer (double points if it contains SPF) to provide added hydration and sun protection.
What to give your skin an even deeper boost of healthy moisture? Consider a Hydrafacial treatment, which deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates your skin.
Already Seeing Some Sun Damage? These Libertyville, IL, Treatments Can Help Reverse It!
Sun damage is not always avoidable. In fact, you may be starting to see some of those pesky results of too much exposure, like sun spots, unwanted freckles, rough skin texture, and premature fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is that various treatments at Wild Moon Collective in Libertyville, IL, can help reverse the sun’s effects and improve the condition of your skin.
Heat Things Up With Aerolase® Laser
Using advanced laser technology, our Aerolase® Laser can directly target sun-damaged skin. This non-invasive laser treatment stimulates collagen production in the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sunspots over time. It delivers gentle heat to the deeper layers of the skin, promoting cellular rejuvenation and leaving you with healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
Kick Healing Into Gear With Microneedling + PRP
Microneedling combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is another effective treatment for reversing sun damage. Microneedling involves creating tiny punctures in the skin to trigger the body's natural healing response. When combined with PRP, which contains your body’s natural growth factors, the anti-aging process is even more effective.
Benefits of this collagen-stimulating treatment include:
Improving skin’s overall texture
Reducing the appearance of sun spots
Minimizing scars
Smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles
Evening out pigmentation issues
Start Fresh With a Chemical Peel
Medical-grade chemical peels at Wild Moon Collective involve applying a chemical solution to the skin, which causes it to exfoliate and peel off. This process removes damaged surface layers and reveals fresh, new skin underneath.
Chemical peels can effectively reduce sunspots, uneven skin tone, and other signs of sun damage. Different types and strengths of chemical peels are available, ranging from superficial to deep, depending on the severity of your sun damage.
Want to Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage (or Reverse It) in Libertyville, IL?
We all know that protecting our skin from sun damage is essential for maintaining its health and appearance, but sometimes our skin needs a bit of help. If you’re ready to take your skin’s protection up a notch or you need help minimizing existing sun damage, contact us today or book an appointment.
Prioritize your skin now with Wild Moon Collective to ensure its long-term health and a lasting glow!