A beauty expert’s guide to repairing sun damaged skin naturally

Vitamin C and sunscreen are probably the most important tools in your arsenal for combatting sun damage, and are must-haves in your daily skincare routine. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, naturally occurs in our skin, especially in the dermis and epidermis. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps with oxidative stress caused by environmental factors and the sun’s rays. The benefits of Vitamin C include:

• Antioxidant protection — as mentioned earlier, vitamin C is great for antioxidant protection, neutralising free radicals that can cause cell damage. 
• Collagen production — vitamin C is vital in collagen production, supporting the skin’s structure. This leads to firmer and tighter skin.
• Brightening effect  — vitamin C has an ability to inhibit melanin production, which is responsible for dark spots and hyperpigmentation. 
• Reduced wrinkles and fine lines — increased collagen production entails reduced skin laxity, which, in turn leads to less wrinkles and fine lines.
• UV protection — vitamin C’s antioxidant properties helps combat oxidation caused by UV-induced skin damage. 
• Anti-inflammatory — vitamin C supplements can also increase immunity and reduce inflammation. 

Vitamin C can be incorporated in both your daily and nightly skincare routine, but should not be mixed with other active ingredients, such as retinol and other acids. Look for products with an L-ascorbic acid concentration of 10-20% for optimal results. 

Sunscreen

Any beauty expert will tell you to remember to apply sunscreen, especially after using a vitamin C serum. This is because vitamin C can increase photosensitivity, or your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. 

Sunscreens protect the skin by absorbing or reflecting UV rays from the sun:

• Mineral sunscreens can be likened to shields that block and scatter the sun’s UV rays, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
• On the other hand, chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they damage the skin, such as avobenzone.

Both types of sunscreens are effective, but mineral sunscreens are a better option if you have sensitive skin or are prone to skin irritation. Opt for a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher, and remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours, even if it’s cloudy outside! 

SkinLab’s Liteguard SPF50+PA+++ is a specially formulated, non-comedogenic sunscreen that brightens the skin and protects it from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Topical vitamin C, when combined with sunscreen, can help improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin and provide skin protection, preventing further sun damage. 

Exfoliate 1 to 2 times a week

For healthy, renewed skin, exfoliation is key! Exfoliating once or twice a week helps reverse the effects of sun damage by removing the dead skin cells and stimulating the growth of new, healthy ones. It also reduces hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage and smoothes out the skin. Regular exfoliation allows you to:

• Even out skin tone
• Promote cell turnover
• Improve skin texture
• Enhance product absorption

At home, start by using gentle facial scrub to physically remove the layer of dead skin cells. Make sure not to overdo it, as over-exfoliation can also cause damage to the skin. Exfoliation also primes the skin for better absorption, and you can apply a moisturiser right after exfoliating for increased hydration.

Mechanical exfoliation is another pain-free facial that gently exfoliates the skin while infusing topical hydration serums for optimal results.  

It is important to pay attention to your skin. Although exfoliating once or twice a week is a generally safe frequency, sun-damaged skin may be too sensitive and lead to irritation or further damage. If so, consult a professional for a proper diagnosis and personalised treatment plan. 

Facial treatments

When home remedies aren’t enough, there are a variety of minimally invasive facial treatments designed to address skin conditions caused by sun damage. This generally involves deep hydration, collagen production and targeted ingredients for improved skin health.

For removing pigmentation: Chemical peel

Chemical peels, or chemical exfoliation, can be used to promote cell turnover and remove hyperpgimentation caused by sun damage. Chemical peels generally use exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). The benefits of chemical peel treatments include:

• Improved skin texture — By resurfacing the skin, chemical peels can lead to softer, renewed skin.
• Reduced fine lines and wrinkles — Chemical peels encourage collagen production, which, in turn, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Even skin tone — Chemical peels are useful for evening out the skin tone by reducing hyperpigmentation and sun spots caused by sun damage.
• Minimise pores — By removing dirt and debris, chemical peels can reduce the size of enlarged pores and tighten the skin.
• Improved skin hydration — Some peels can help boost hydration and increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture. 
• Skin renewal — Chemical peels work by removing the damaged superficial layer of the skin, revealing the new, healthy skin underneath.

Chemical peels come in a variety of strengths and types, with superficial peels being milder, and deeper peels being more intense. It is important to use the right type or combination of chemical peels for your skin condition in order to prevent further damage to your skin.

SkinLab’s Peptide Peel Facial is a 60-minute chemical exfoliation treatment using a specially formulated solution composed of 6 different acids (phytic acid, mandelic acid, tranexamic acid, gluconolactone, lactobionic acid and sodium lactate) for skin renewal and inhibition of the melanocytes responsible for skin hyperpigmentation. 

For sensitive skin: Aloe vera facial

If you have sensitive skin, aloe vera is a great, natural ingredient for sun-damaged skin, with hydrating, healing and antibacterial properties. Overexposure to the sun can lead to dry and irritated skin, and aloe vera helps alleviate these symptoms. Its benefits include:

• Deep hydration — Aloe vera is made up of 99% water, which helps deeply hydrate and plump the skin. This, in turn, also helps reduce water loss and fortify the skin barrier.
• Anti-inflammatory — Aloe vera has bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. It also inhibits histamine, which is a compound that plays an integral role in the body’s inflammatory responses.
• Cooling effect — When applied immediately on sunburnt skin, aloe vera can cool the skin and relieve pain.
• Skin healing — Aloe vera helps with stimulating the immune system for skin healing and repairing the skin’s natural barrier.
• Reduced skin peeling — Sun-damaged skin often leads to dryness and flaking. Aloe vera provides deep hydration and reduces skin peeling and inflammation.
• Antioxidant protection — Aloe vera is an antioxidant-rich plant, full of enzymes, and vitamins A, C and E. 

SkinLab’s Aloe Vera Facial applies the benefits of aloe vera; a treatment formulated for dry, sun-damaged skin. For those with sensitive skin, this would be a good option to soothe damaged skin, protect against environmental damage and encourage skin healing.

For evening out the skin: Dermarolling

Dermarolling, also known as microneedling or collagen induction therapy, can also be done to help even out the skin and improve skin texture. This minimally-invasive treatment involves the use of a derma roller or derma pen to create miniature “pricks” in the skin, which serve as microchannels that enhance the absorption of serums, as well as promote collagen and elastin production.

Dermarolling can be done at home but this is not advised as it can be risky. A , a professional derma roller facial minimises the chances of complications like scarring.

The benefits of dermarolling include:

• Minimised pores — Microneedling tightens the pores and smoothens the skin, ultimately improving skin texture.
• Reduced fine lines and wrinkles — Microneedling triggers the body’s natural wound healing process, allowing the skin to remodel itself, reducing fine lines and wrinkles in the process.
• Increased collagen and elastin production — Collagen and elastin are integral proteins that make up the skin’s structure and firmness. 
• Reduces hyperpigmentation — Microneedling encourages melanin dispersal and cell turnover, both of which help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. 

SkinLab’s Derma Roller Facial is a holistic microneedling procedure done by a licensed professional. It involves an ampoule application and customised mask tailored to your skin type and condition. As this professional treatment penetrates deeper into the skin, a topical numbing cream will be applied to ensure that you are kept as comfortable as possible. 

Treat your sun-damaged skin with SkinLab

Too much sun exposure can greatly impair the skin, causing hyperpigmentation and dryness. Thankfully, sun-damaged skin is treatable, with the guidance of experts.

SkinLab is a medispa dedicated to providing holistic, non-invasive solutions for all types of skin conditions. Take the first step to renewed and refreshed skin by scheduling a skin consultation with us today!