Non-Invasive Ways to Restore Sun Damaged Skin

by Elina Fedotova

It happens without warning. That sporty suntan you’ve enjoyed each summer, starts to get uneven. Less-than-lovely brown spots start to appear until one fine day you look in the mirror and notice your skin is sprinkled with dark patches and enlarged freckles. Many people refer to them as age spots which makes sense since the number of discolorations (hyper-pigmentation) usually corresponds to the cumulative effect of sun exposure you’ve had over the years.

Why does this happen? The likely cause is the result of damage done to your skin on a cellular level by ultraviolet rays from the sun. While this may sound a little scary – your cells have been damaged – the good news it that it’s possible to repair them. However, to bring your skin back to normal, you need to fade the spots with a skin lightener, and find a way to restore the healthy function of your skin cells from that oxidative ultraviolet damage.

A Skin Lightening Agent to Avoid

Many conventional skin bleaching products on the market contain an active ingredient called Hydroquinone. This chemical will lighten your skin, however I do not think that it’s a healthy solution for treating sun damage. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Sciencelab.com, Hydroquinone is: “…toxic to lungs, the nervous system, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs (sic) damage.” While the MSDS states that the potential long term health effects of using Hydroquinone are not available, given the known facts, they are probably not good!

What to Use Instead

Instead of using toxic chemicals to lighten your skin, I suggest using a transdermal product (one that penetrates the skin and can be absorbed into skin cells) with fruit enzymes and natural acids on dark spots to reduce discolorations without intoxicating the skin. If you were to ask your grandmothers what they used to diminish their pigment spots, traditional remedies included lemon juice, parsnip, licorice root and dandelion root taken from their backyards and then rubbed on the skin. Make sure you apply lightening treatment at nighttime only. Any skin bleaching product will make you photosensitive and more vulnerable to sun damage during the day light.

How Sun Damage Spreads and What to Do

Our skin constantly regenerates, but once disturbed by the sun, it will continue to reproduce damaged “baby cells.” That’s why after few months your pigment spots will come back together with other skin imperfections like wrinkles and de-pigmented patches (hypo-pigmentation).

To remedy this, as a holistic skin care practitioner, I believe in taking a whole body natural healing approach. I recommend that my clients increase their dietary antioxidant intake to help repair cells from oxidation damage. Excellent sources of antioxidants include: organic blueberries, pomegranate, black currant, grapes, peppers, rose hips, and green tea. Organic produce is better because it is free of harmful pesticides, herbicides, and nitrates. Additionally, I suggest supplementation with extracts of grape seed and Vitamins C, E, and D. A transdermal topical cream with antioxidants in it should be applied daily.

Light Waves /IPL Treatments

Light-based treatments like Light-emitting diodes (LED) and cold lasers can also help reverse the effects of sun damage. These techniques work like sunshine on flowers by bringing light energy to cells deep in the skin, encouraging them to grow strong again.

You will likely see the quickest results, however, with a light-based treatment called Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). IPL treatments help pull excess pigment from the skin. This light-based technology works by actually injuring skin cells, which prompts them to generate a healing response. The result? The stimulation of healthy collagen and skin cell growth – as well as the lightening of dark spots.

Protection is Important!

Please do not forget to protect your skin daily with a natural zinc oxide based sun block. Sometimes 15 minutes out in a sunny day with unprotected skin is enough to throw your hard work out the window.

In summary: use your natural lightening lotion at night only. Nourish your skin with antioxidant enriched transdermal cream twice a day. Don’t forget to protect your skin with zinc oxide based sunblock. Eat a wide variety of organic food rich in antioxidants like fruits and vegetables. Stay healthy. Stay happy!