How To Reverse Summer Holiday Damage On Your Skin

Thankfully our holidays (away from our face masks) went back to normal this year. We were able to travel, soak in the sun at the beach, bounce from brunch to BBQ, and have all the fun out there. These days have left great memories but soon we’ll be wearing our cozy sweaters and breaking up with those biker shorts again. For now, let us assume that we all got back to our normal life (not so normal with distance learning) and our homes. Everything is cool till now, right? what is not cool though is that we have also got back with a lasting mark on our skin 🙁 Sun damage can start from simply sunburns to more serious issues like hyperpigmentation. The good news is that everything is reversible if treated the right way. Here is what you can do to repair the damage that has been done in the past three months.

1 || Use Soothing Skincare Products

Let’s agree on one thing, yea your sun-kissed skin looks super attractive but it is damaged skin. Simply because your body revs up pigment production when exposed to the sun to protect itself. Unfortunately, there are no quick remedies to reverse a tan or sunburn; it just takes time. Your skin will take few weeks to renew completely. While your skin is healing naturally make sure to do two things; stay away from the sun and stock up on moisturizing products. And don’t forget to hydrate from within by drinking enough amounts of water.

2 || Consume antioxidant-rich foods

Foods that are high in antioxidants help to fight free radicals and maintain super healthy skin. Their naturally restorative properties will give your skin what it needs to overcome sun damage. To reap the full benefits of antioxidants, we suggest adding antioxidant-rich foods like beetroot, spinach, raspberries, and blueberries to your daily diet.

3 || Go For Laser

While adding vitamin C to your daily routine can be great for brightening sunspots, it will take a minimum of a month to start showing results. That said, dermatologists recommend looking into lasers, like IPL. It transmits bright light that targets pigmentation. Although the treatment is not considered painful you might feel a little discomfort similar to laser hair removal. I can take two treatments to erase sunspots. Keep in mind that laser treatments are not recommended if your skin is actively tanned. So before you book your laser session make sure to wait till your skin is as close to its base color before pursuing laser.

4 || Avoid Exfoliation… For Now

While exfoliating your skin can be a great way to remove damaged, dry and dead skin cells. Gentle exfoliators like lactic acid are recommended once or twice a week but only once you’re not tan or burnt. If you develop any redness, dryness, or irritation you definitely need to dial it back.

5 || Go Natural

For those who can’t live without makeup, you need to slow down a bit if you got a bad sunburn. As makeup and makeup brushes can be too harsh on inflamed skin making it worse. This is especially true if your skin is wounded because makeup can reach the tissues underneath the skin barrier. If you insist on putting makeup, go for damp sponges over harsh brushes and stick to your minimal routine until your skin has healed.