With the days getting warmer as we prepare to welcome the sunny season in South Africa, many of you have many days planned that involve being outside and, moreover, exposed to UV rays. While armouring up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen before heading outside is essential, how you take care of your skin post-sun exposure is just as important.
Kevin Khosa, customer service manager at SKIN functional – a leading South African skincare brand – says: “UV exposure causes damage to the skin, so it’s important to do whatever you can to repair that damage. More immediate damage would show up as a sunburn, but longer term, it would show up as dark spots, decreased skin laxity or skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to not only apply your skin sunscreen once a day; it needs to be reapplied throughout the day to ensure your skin is always sufficiently protected.
“SKIN functional’s newly launched Sunscreen Stick is the perfect on-the-go sunscreen that you can carry with you and is easy to apply.”
So, what is sun damage?
Sun damage is not just a sunburn, but more when the sun prematurely ages the skin – this is called photoageing, which can lead to skin cancer. Sunburn also causes DNA damage.
Dermatologists refer to the damage the sun does to skin by several names including photoageing, photodamage, solar damage or sun damage. It can take as little as five minutes for fair-skinned people to start taking on the harmful effects of the sun. Additionally, UV rays affect your skin for hours even after you’re out of the sun.
You will know your skin has sun damage when you see spots, blotches and wrinkles that show up over time. A suntan is also a side effect of sun damage. The sun’s beams bring out a chemical in your body associated with melanin, which darkens your skin, part of an effort to protect it. Other kinds of damage aren’t as easy to spot.
If you are looking to correct the skin from this damage, you may want to consider incorporating a retinaldehyde serum into your routine. This active ingredient works to improve skin’s surface as it treats signs of sun damage, uneven texture, wrinkles and surface imperfections.
Retinaldehyde is a vitamin A derivative and the precursor to retinoid acid. Effective for ageing, acne and dark spot concerns, retinaldehyde inhibits collagen breakdown, reduces dermal elastosis and significantly improves photo-aged skin. It also unclogs blocked pores, improving black heads and breakouts. It promotes cell turnover, encouraging new cell growth for a more even complexion. Try SKIN functional’s new 0.2% Retinaldehyde Serum.
Post-exposure repair
Your post-exposure repair is as important as your sun exposure care. After you have been in the sun, reaching for a good lotion or moisturiser with skin-loving ingredients can help replenish and protect the skin barrier.
Khosa recommends using a product with:
- vegan lanolin, which is a deeply hydrating ingredient.
- anhydroxylitol, known to deeply hydrate the skin and retain moisture.
- Centella asiatica, to soothe inflammation in the skin.
- Aloe barbadensis flower extract, to further soothe inflammation in the skin.
“A lotion or moisturiser with these effective ingredients will not only help your skin feel better but it will help heal the skin barrier and get your skin to good health again,” he adds.
Sun damage is a very real risk for your skin, and with global warming and the Earth’s atmosphere depleting, the sun’s rays are getting stronger and more damaging.
To holistically protect your skin, your sun care routine should be all-encompassing and incorporate pre-sun care, during as well as post-exposure repair. The most ideal scenario is to limit sun exposure as far as possible and wear protective clothing when venturing outdoors.
SKIN functional’s new UV Derm Post UV Exposure Repair is everything your skin needs post-sun exposure. Apply a liberal amount to the affected areas and apply as often as needed.
Image credit: Freepik