Ways to Protect and Erase Sun Damage to Skin

Exposure to harsh sunlight and the UV rays during summer is inevitable. To prevent suntan we are advised to apply sunscreen and wear full sleeved light clothing. But you cannot sit indoors fearing a tan, can you? And what about sun’s UV rays that damage your skin? Dermatologist, Dr. Udhay Sidhu, answers all your queries and shares preventive sun damage tips and solutions for summer care.

Difference between suntan and sunburn

“It is important to differentiate between sunburn and suntan,” says Dr. Sidhu. “In sunburn, the skin turns red, painful and can also have blisters. Whereas suntan causes skin darkening, occasionally mild redness and is painless.” Differentiating between suntan and sunburn will help you decide the appropriate skin treatment.

Suntan preventions

Dermatologist, Dr.Udhay Sidhu suggest to prevent suntan and summer-related skin damage with these simple solutions, “Though sun tan is temporary, continuous sun exposure can lead to persistent darkening. Prevention is the key – use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen of SPF 30. Physical prevention can be achieved through sunglasses, broad hats and long sleeved clothing.”

Sun damage recovery

Staying outdoors for too long can damage the skin though it may not be visible to you, “Most important is to help your skin recover from the damage caused by harmful ultra violet rays. You need to be gentle towards you skin.”

She provides simple treatments for sun damaged skin, “Soothe the skin with calamine lotion and natural aloe vera gel. Due to sun exposure the skin can turn dry and flaky – using a moisturizer is advisable. Say no to bleaching, waxing, spa treatment, sauna and chemical peels till the time redness subsides.”

Suntan Removal

“For sun tan removal most important is to avoid further sun exposure. Alpha hydroxyl peels can be useful depending upon the skin type and extent of damage”, says the doctor.

Suntan Removal – Home Remedies

“Home made masks – mixture of turmeric, honey and curd can be made into a smooth paste applied for 15 minutes and washed off with cold water. Tomatoes are packed with antioxidants; a puree can be made and applied on the concerned area and washed off once it dries. These can be applied once or twice a week”, suggests the dermatologist.

Avoid using lime or lemon to reduce suntan, Dr. Udhay Sidhu says, “In my practice I have seen patients commonly using lemon to get rid of the tan and as a result, it causes worsening of the condition. Lemon has to be used with caution when using it directly on skin as it can lead to sun irritation, allergy and at times even burn the skin.”

Source: healthmeup.com