Sun-damaged skin, can you repair it?

Sun-damaged skin is a common problem for people who spend a lot of time in the sun. Overexposure to the sun can lead to skin damage such as pigmentation, fine lines, burst blood vessels and actinic keratosis. But rest assured, there are ways to prevent further damage and minimize the damage.

While it’s not possible to completely restore the skin, there are some tips you can follow, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding the sun during the hottest hours of the day. By taking these steps, you can protect your skin and minimize damage, so you can continue to enjoy the sun without worrying about the consequences.

Chemical peeling

Chemical peeling is a popular and effective method of renewing and rejuvenating the skin. The process of chemical peeling removes the top layers of the skin, giving the skin a fresher appearance and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, it can help reduce pigmentation, sun damage and other skin imperfections.

Removing the top layer of skin encourages new, healthy skin cells to surface and can help improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin. There are different types of chemical peels that vary in intensity depending on the desired result and the needs of the skin.

The peels range from very mild to very intense acid peels (like a TCA peel) requiring downtime. The type of acid used, the concentration and the duration of the treatment depend on the skin type and specific needs of the patient. For example, glycolic acid has the smallest molecular structure of all alpha hydroxy acids and is able to penetrate deeper into the skin, while salicylic acid is better suited for treating acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. While stronger peels can produce the most noticeable results, it’s not for everyone. Get advice from your skin specialist based on your skin color and specific wishes.

Although a professional chemical peel is usually stronger (around pH 2.0), at home you can opt for the less strong peel with fruit acids AHAs and BHAs, lactic acid and mandelic acid. These superficial peels have almost no downtime and help with mild skin problems such as light discoloration and rough texture. Want to learn more about fruit acids and which ones are right for your skin?

Cosmetic ingredients against sun-damaged skin

Vitamin A:

When it comes to reducing sun-damaged skin, products containing vitamin A like tretinoin are a powerful and effective option. An over-the-counter alternative is retinol, which comes in a variety of concentrations and formulations. The use of retinol can already be effective at a concentration of 0.3%, higher concentrations are not always better. A too high concentration can cause skin irritation and increase absorption in the body. Retinol can help with skin problems such as reducing fine lines, removing the epidermis and improving the complexion of the skin.

Vitamine B3 (Niacinamide):

Niacinamide, one of the eight B vitamins, is the so-called essential vitamins. This means that only a small part can be stored in our body.

Niacinamide can reduce the risk of skin cancer! An Australian study has shown that the use of niacinamide can have a reduction in actinic keratosis (precursor of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma). A 1% niacinamide ointment was used in the test. Even low doses of UV radiation can cause measurable DNA damage in the skin. Niacinamide is able to improve this recovery and reduces the suppression of the skin’s immune reactions caused by UV radiation.

Iconic Elements Spotreducer contains ectoine and niacinamide as active ingredients.

Laser treatment

Sun-damaged skin can sometimes lead to discoloration, blood vessels, dullness and a rough texture. Fortunately, there are several laser treatments available that can effectively address these issues. There are different types of lasers, each targeting specific skin concerns. A CO2 Fraxel laser treatment can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture. For blood vessels on the face, an nd:YAG 1064 nm laser treatment can be considered. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or pigment laser can help to reduce pigment spots and even out the skin tone.

To achieve the desired results, three to four laser treatments are usually required, spaced 3-4 weeks apart. It is important to know that a recovery period of at least five days is required after each treatment, during which you must take good care of the skin and protect it from the sun. Laser treatments can be a good solution for those looking for an effective way to reduce sun damage

What you can do yourself

Sun protection is and remains the most important remedy. There are two types of ultraviolet sun rays: ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B.

The intensity of UVB depends on the season, location in the world and time of day, and causes skin burning. Although less intense than UVB, UVA rays are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year. These can penetrate through clouds and glass.

UVA penetrates deep into the dermis, and affects your collagen and elastin skin fibers. The elastin and collagen fibers provide the elasticity of the skin. In the long term, UVA rays can lead to skin aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, skin discolorations and even skin cancer. What many people don’t realize is that UVA rays contribute to sun-damaged skin.

UVB rays reach the epidermis and are responsible for our vitamin D production. Too much UVB causes DNA damage, redness, sunburn and eventually skin aging and skin cancer. Unlike UVA, UVB does not penetrate glass and UVB is least strong during autumn and winter in the Netherlands.

More questions: info@iconic-elements.com

While you are here

Minimally invasive cosmetic treatments are increasing every year. Nowadays it is more and more accepted. When you think of cosmetic procedures, you quickly think of injectables such as botulinum toxin, fillers, but also peels and various laser treatments to look less tired and make the skin more radiant. More about: Cosmetic treatment, what are the reasons for having it done?