“Sun damage” – we read about this term a lot in beauty editorials, especially after a sun-filled summer. This fairly broad term is not always clearly explained, and many Oakville patients do not realize how it manifests in their skin. In this article, we unpack what sun damage means exactly and what can be done to prevent and correct it.

What is sun damage?

Sun damage is not simply the aftermath of a sunburn, but in fact the accumulative damage that UV radiation causes to the skin over time. Some of this damage can be mitigated by avoiding the sun and wearing and reapplying sunscreen, but it is an inevitable consequence of living. It is widely acknowledged in the medical community that 90 per cent of the visible signs of aging are attributable to sun exposure. These aging signs include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Sagging skin
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven pigmentation such as brown and white spots
• Redness
• Rough skin texture

How can sun damage be prevented?

Although avoiding sun damage altogether is next to impossible, the damaging effects of the sun can be greatly reduced by integrating the following practices into your beauty regimen:

• Wear and reapply a minimum SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, rain or shine.
• Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses whenever possible.
• Do not spend long periods of time in the sun, especially when the UV index is at its peak height between 10am and 4pm.
• Banish tanning beds.
• Incorporate an antioxidant vitamin C serum in your morning routine to further enhance your photoprotection.

How can sun damage be corrected?

There are some incredible at-home formulations that can help to correct sun damage and maintain an even skin tone. Oakville Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skincare recommends integrating brightening treatments into your daily skincare routine if uneven pigmentation is a concern for you. To realize results safely and quickly, in-office treatments such as clinical peels and fotofacials are recommended:

• A series of clinical peels optimizes cell renewal for incredibly smooth and bright skin.
• A series of fotofacials will target and destroy pigmented cells and dilated vessels to lighten brown spots and fade skin redness. In addition to improved skin tone clarity, the texture and firmness are improved as well.

Hopefully this article gives you a better sense of what the term “sun damage” means for your skin. To develop an optimal strategy to prevent and correct sun damage, Oakville Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skincare welcomes you to arrange a consultation with our medical aesthetician. She will be able to advise you on a plan of action to maintain your healthiest and most youthful skin. Call 905.901.9545 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.