Spring and Summer in California are not an uncommon time to get a surprise sunburn. Of course in California, surprise sunburns can appear in any season. Sunburns are serious concern.
The biggest concern for me is not just the peeling but the DNA damage. DNA Damage leads to hyperpigmentation, aka dark spots, and pre-mature aging, wrinkles and fine lines.
(Premature aging is a fancy word for "OMG, why do I look so tired?").
Did you know there is a way to reverse and prevent the DNA damage caused by sunburns? Here are 4 at-home steps to combat Sun induced pre-mature aging. Learn how to easily heal the sun damage on your face.
#1. Gentle AntiOxidant Cleansing
If you get a sun burn or over exposes then Skip any foaming, exfoliating or scrubbing cleansers. Use a non-foaming, or mildly foaming face wash. It should containing anti-oxidants like green tea or reservatrol
Do NOT use a washcloth or rub hard. Keep it light and gentle. If it still doesn't feel clean enough to you, go ahead and wash with the same cleanser twice.
TuscanySkinSpa Gentle Soothing Cleanser contains a high concentration of green tea. The cleanser is a nice cross between a foaming and milky cleanser so it has a light froth and rinses clean. Great for daily use.
#2. Immediately apply topical Vitamin C
A great secrets about Vitamin C is it healing for burns. Apply immediately after a superficial burn, including sunburns and stove top burn. It will speed up the healing, often preventing a blister and repairing damaged DNA.
Advance Vitamin C Brightening Serum by TuscanySkinSpa is in soothing and hydrating light serum base. Use it every morning on clean skin to prevent UV damage.
To repair and prevent further dna damage to the skin, prevent blistering and speed up healing. Apply Advance Vitamin C to skin immediately after minor suburns and reddening, up to twice a day.
#3. Apply soothing gentle Moisturizer, at least twice a day
Keep your skin well hydrated. Apply your moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day to prevent it from drying out because the dryness will slow down healing.
Avoid any AHA and BHA products like glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid. Avoid strong stimulating essential oils.
Stick to soothing anti-oxidants - green tea, reservatrol. Soothing plants and herbs like chamomile and aloe vera also help calm the burn.
Power Hydrator is ideal for sensitive skin due to its high concentration of green tea. Great for face and body. Apply it twice a day to maintain and improve hydration.
TIP: KEEP SKIN PROTECTED. If you re-burn already sun burned skin it more than doubles the damage and trauma.
#4. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen . . . and hats
Keep your damaged skin OUT OF THE SUN. A re-injury is even worse for you. This is important.
Apply THICK layer of SPF on all exposed skin. Slap on a wide-brim hat. Wear UV protective sunglasses. Wear long-sleeved spf protective clothing. And AVOID SUN EXPOSURE - both direct and in-direct sun for up to two weeks while your skin heals.
Sensitive skins prefer a mechanical only sunscreen with Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. Since mechanical sunscreens dont penetrate into the skin* but place a "shield" over it. Perfect for sensitized or traumatized post-sunburn skin.
Our popular Sheer Perfection BB cream spf 50 with has a universal tint to reduce redness, even skin tone AND protect the skin.
TuscanySkinSpa has several mechanical sunscreens that will work for you. Check out our website or come in for a consultation with our skincare specialists.
* Important note: all sunscreens do absorb into the skin to some extent. But mechanical sunscreens tend to absorb less and shield more. So they tend to be better for sensitive skin.