It’s impossible to avoid the sun completely, but there are many ways we can protect ourselves against those strong, dangerous rays. But what if the sun damage has already occurred, and we need to reverse the impact of sun damage? Let’s take a look at the beauty treatments, products and habits that are out there to support our skin health.

Invasive treatments

There is a big range of effective treatments available, most of them invasive. This simply means that the treatments require you to “go under the knife” and are carried out by trained medical professionals with recovery managed with treatment and assessment. Getting a facelift by Dr Chris Moss is one of the most coveted treatments in Australia, with Dr Chris Moss being very well-known in the industry. If you are looking into getting a facelift to treat your sun damage, be sure to do your research and read as many testimonials and reviews as you can and book in for a few consultations before you commit to the treatment.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a non-invasive treatment that you can find in a skincare clinic as well as beauty centres. Microneedling is a skin treatment where many small needles are attached to a roller and run over the face to create very small tears in the skin. This stimulates collagen repair with cell renewal creating new, firmer skin in its place. Typically it takes a few micro-needling sessions before there is a noticeable difference, and this is a common treatment for mild sun-damaged skin.

Microneedling can also be done at home with a derma roller, although the results will vary and will not be as effective as it is with a trained beauty therapist's technique. There is a risk that derma roller needles can be bent, which can create unwanted tears in the skin - so if you choose to use a derma roller keep it safe and intact.

Quality serums

If you have not added a serum to your skin routine yet, then this is a great way to treat sun damage. A quality serum will contain active ingredients like Vitamin A, peptides, natural ingredients and many other powerful additions that treat your skin. There are serums for all different kinds of purposes, so take your time in selecting one that is designed to treat damaged skin and bring brightness back to your complexion. If you have not used retinol or retinoids, then it is recommended that you start with a very low percentage and work up to a higher content when your skin is ready. If you have a reaction, the serum might not be for you.

Damage mitigation

Now that you have experienced sun damage, you want to be quite intentional in how you mitigate further risk. You can do this by applying a high SPF sunscreen, utilising moisturisers and oils that also contain SPF 50+. Wearing clothes that protect your skin (especially your neck and chest), face, ears and other exposed parts of the body will mitigate further skin damage. Sun damage on the skin damage will lead to dull, coarse and unhealthy-looking skin. You can also find tailored products that aim to soothe and treat your skin so you are

Lifestyle considerations

There are lifestyle considerations that can be quite significant in reducing the impacts of sun damage. They might seem like low-hanging fruit, but your lifestyle does govern how your skin looks and the skin care habits you hold. Hydration is a critical factor in maintaining healthy skin, especially if your skin has already experienced sun damage. Ample sleep will also support healthy skin and will make it easier to rest over-stressed skin. How you spend time outdoors is also going to impact your skin damage chances, so when you are exercising and commuting to work, there are clothes and habits you can implement to keep yourself protected.

Learning more about skin damage and the impacts of the sun is only going to set you up to be smarter and more diligent in the future. Assess the treatments, habits and products that can minimise sun damage and find the right strategy for you and your lifestyle.