Sun Damage – What Can You Repair – and What Can’t You?
Recently, we were asked: Is sun damage to the skin reversible or not? A logical question, because who hasn’t enjoyed a bit too much sun at some point? In this blog, we’ll dive into what sun damage really is, and whether your skin can truly recover from those years under the sun.
Can sun damage to the skin be repaired?
Sun damage to the skin can, in some cases, be partially repaired, depending on the type, duration, and severity of the damage. It’s important to know that DNA damage caused by the sun is permanent and irreversible.
What happens with sun damage?
Sun damage occurs through exposure to UV radiation (UVA and UVB). This can lead to, among other things:
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Wrinkles and fine lines
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Pigmentation spots (such as age spots)
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Reduced skin elasticity
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Dry, rough skin
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Increased risk of skin cancer (due to irreversible DNA damage)
What damage is (partially) repairable?
Some effects of sun damage can indeed be improved with proper care or treatments:
Pigmentation spots and dull skin tone
These can fade, and the skin can look more radiant again with the help of ingredients such as retinoids (vitamin A derivatives), vitamin C, peels, or laser treatments.
Decreased skin structure, elasticity, dryness, and fine lines
These signs of skin aging can be improved by using ingredients and treatments that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, such as niacinamide, retinoids, connective tissue massage, microneedling, or lasers.
Dry, dull skin
This is often the easiest to restore. A good moisturizing cream with hyaluronic acid or ceramides helps, as does regular (gentle) exfoliation with, for example, a peel. Our Smoothing Peel is perfect for this.
A particularly effective natural ingredient is rosehip seed oil scientifically proven to work for various forms of skin repair. Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin A, and ceramides also have powerful restorative properties. We incorporate these ingredients into various products, such as the Regenerating Oil Serum, the Rich Facial Cream, and the Hydrating Calming Lotion.
What is not or hardly repairable?
Sun damage that has affected the DNA — such as deep wrinkles, the breakdown of collagen and elastin, and especially precursors to skin cancer (like actinic keratosis) — requires medical treatment. In many cases, repair is unfortunately not possible.
Prevention is better than cure
Therefore, protect your skin daily with a sunscreen with a high protection sun protection factor (SPF). Our Nourishing Day Cream SPF30 not only helps prevent irreversible damage, but also keeps your skin more even, supple, and radiant. Want a beautiful, glowy tint as well? Then try the Tinted Day Cream SPF30. But using sun protection is, of course, a no-brainer!
