How to Fight Sun Damage

Aug 15

Looking to learn how to fight sun damage?

Sunscreen alone is often not enough! Fighting sun damage to reveal a healthy, glowing, and younger-looking complexion involves a multi-pronged approach.

Today, we here at Moonstone Skin and Body Care are outlining how to fight sun damage… as well as why it matters so much!

Sun Damage: The Main Culprit of Extrinsic Aging

Also called “photoaging”, sun damage is the biggest culprit of external-related aging factors alongside pollution, a lack of sleep, and blue light.

While both internal and external factors such as diet, nicotine, a poor sleep schedule, chronic stress, and pollution all play their part in the acceleration of your skin’s aging process, sun exposure is the largest source of it… and also arguably the most avoidable!

UV rays from the sun damage the fibers that give our skin its elasticity, which causes wrinkles to form. These rays are also the culprit of “age spots” that commonly appear on the face, hands, arms, and other often-exposed areas; while these age spots take years to make their appearance, we often don’t realize until years later the damage that has been caused.

How Sunscreen Works to Prevent Premature Aging

Here at Moonstone Skin and Body Care, we frequently illustrate to clients how sunscreen works to prevent premature aging.

The golden rules of using sunscreen to ward against signs of aging are:

Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
Apply sunscreen every day (even if you’re inside, even if it’s overcast, and, yes, even if it’s the dead of winter!)
Reapply every two hours (and don’t hesitate to reapply sooner, especially if you’ve been swimming)
Don’t skimp out on easily-forgotten areas of your skin such as your neck and your ears
When you can, gift your skin extra protection via layers of clothing, sunglasses, and shade-casting accessories like hats

All of these pointers are especially useful for those the FDA labels “high risk”, which includes those with light skin tones and those with family histories of skin cancer.

How to Fight Sun Damage With Seasonal Skin Care Treatments

Sun damage can be fought all year long with the proper in-spa skin care treatments.

These most commonly come in the forms of peels, microdermabrasion, and NanoFusion, all of which are offered here at Moonstone Skin and Body Care. Chemical exfoliation treatments such as these work to renew the skin by sloughing off its damaged outer layer, which is especially fantastic to do in early Fall directly after the summer heat has ebbed!

In terms of at-home care, brightening serums, creams, and masques can restore hydration, deliver a much-needed dose of nutrients, and soothe inflamed skin. Some of our top picks include the Eminence Organics Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Masque, the VITAL C Hydrating Repair Creme, and the PCA Skin Rejuvenating Serum.