Our skin is exposed to the elements on a regular basis. Years of neglect and harmful chemicals can rob the skin of its natural shine and moisture, resulting in a number of aesthetic issues.
Unfortunately, as a result of our busy lifestyles, caring for our skin has taken a bit of a backseat. To keep your skin looking young for years to come, follow a skin-care program. In this post, we take a look at how sun damages skin and then offer a few skin-care tips.
UV rays are the number-one enemy of skin. Regular exposure to sun results in the formation of wrinkles, freckles, and age spots. UV light from the sun damages elastin, a protein in the skin. When elastin starts breaking down, the skin begins to stretch and sag. Exposure to UV rays increases the skin’s fragility, resulting in frequent tears and bruises.
You may not notice these changes immediately. However, that does not mean they are not happening. Skin damage becomes more prominent with time. While there is no denying that time catches up with everyone, showing some love to your skin will help you age gracefully.
Tips for Protecting Skin from the Sun
1. Use Sunscreen Regularly: Before stepping out, remember to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to your face, arms, legs, and any other exposed body parts. To prevent harsh UV rays from robbing your lips of their moisture, apply a lip balm.
2. Limit Exposure to Sun: Go out only when necessary, especially during summer. Avoid going out between 10 am and 4 pm, since the sun’s rays are the most intense during this period. If this is not possible, try to limit your time in the sun.
3. Watch What You Wear: Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants as often as possible. Use a hat to shade your face. Opt for dark clothing with tightly woven fabric, as it blocks more sun than light-colored clothing. Look for clothes that include sun-protective materials.
4. Exfoliate Your Skin: Exfoliation helps the skin shed dead cells. Remember to keep a gap of a few days between exfoliation and exposure to the sun. When choosing an exfoliator, consider your skin type.
5. Moisturize Your Skin: Exposure to sun robs your skin of its natural moisture. To restore your skin’s protective layer, moisturize it with a good moisturizing cream regularly.
Tips to Address Skin Damage
All is not lost if your skin is damaged. Instead of thinking of skin damage as the end of world, look proactively for ways to address the problem. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of some effective treatments that reverse skin damage:
1. Facials: There are more benefits of getting a facial regularly than you could imagine. Facial packs with natural ingredients help the skin relax, delaying the signs of aging. Additionally, these ingredients help improve blood circulation, tone the skin and muscles, and flush out toxins.
2. Chemical Peels: Experts performing this procedure apply a layer of chemical to the top layer of the skin. When the layer is removed, dead skin cells fall off, helping the skin regenerate. Chemical peels can help address a number of skin problems, including superficial scars and irregular pigment.
3. Laser Treatments: Doctors performing laser skin resurfacing use a high-energy light to remove damaged and dead skin cells. The procedure is often used for minimizing wrinkles and fine scars.
Dr. Morwood recently had an article about skin care published in the Spring 2019 edition of Coastal Grower Magazine. Read it on pg. 50 here: “Skin Care Essentials for Men and Women”.
Learn More with a Consultation
Dr. Morwood has over 20 years’ experience as a plastic surgeon, he is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, he is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and for years he has served as either the chief or vice chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery of Monterey.
For more information about Dr. Morwood or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us here.
