Sun Spots Prevention: Essential Steps for Healthy and Radiant Skin

Are Sun Spots bothering you? Longer days, higher temperatures, and a wide range of outdoor activities are all characteristics of the summer season. But excessive sun exposure can leave the skin with undesirable sunspots.

Sunspots, sometimes called age spots or solar lentigines, are dark patches that can develop on body parts exposed to the sun. Fortunately, there are some preventive ways you can take to protect your skin and stop sunspots from appearing.

HOW THEY ARE FORMED

• Primarily, Harmful UV radiations (UVA and UVB) coming from the sun, when coming in contact with skin, trigger the skin with various reactions
• Generally it is noted that people with fair skin tend to have more sunspots because their skin naturally provides less protection from UV rays.
• When UV radiation penetrates the skin, it stimulates the melanocytes cells to produce melanin, a pigment which gives the colour to skin, hair and eyes acts as an in-built natural defence system of our body which absorbs the UV rays and converts them into heat, and reducing their harmful effects on the body.
• Due to prolonged sun exposure over time, melanin may produce in excessive amounts
• Sunspots commonly occur in areas of the skin that have been repeatedly exposed to the sun, such as:-

Sunspots on the face,

Sunspots on hands, arms and shoulders

Sunspots on lips

• Sunspots can develop over time as a result of the accumulation of dark pigmentation caused by the uneven melanin distribution in such areas.

"Shield Your Skin: Effective Strategies to Protect Against Sun Spots"

To effectively reduce sunspots on the skin, it is important to combine preventive measures with targeted treatments. Here are some effective approaches to minimise the appearance of sunspots

1. Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

• One of the best ways to avoid sunspots is by applying sunscreen with high SPF and which is a broad spectrum so that it can protect the skin both from UVA and UVB.
• To ensure effective coverage, it is important to apply the product generously to all skin areas that are exposed, such as the face, neck, arms, hands, and lips.
• Reapply every two hours, especially after excessive sweating.
• Sunscreen acts as a bridge between your skin and harmful UV rays, reducing the occurrence of sunspots.

2. Antioxidant Serums

• It contains citrus extract also known as ascorbic acid, which helps in neutralising the free radicals produced by UV Rays.
• Vitamin C inhibits the synthesis of melanin and helps to help to even out skin tone and reduces the appearance of sunspots.
• It is advised to apply vitamin C serum both in the morning and evening followed by sunscreen

3. Photosensitizing Component

• Retinol
• A derivative of Vitamin A assists skin turnover and aids in removing the top dead layer of skin cells and permit new healthy cells to develop, this will reduce sunspots formation.
• Retinol helps in regulating melanin production, thus by inhibiting its production sun spots can be reduced.
• It also enhances collagen formation and improves skin elasticity which aids in hiding the sunspots.

4. Chemical Exfoliants

• These are the products which contain the ingredients which help in the shedding of dead skin cells and improve skin tone. They act by removing the outer layer of skin that may contain the accumulated pigmentation produced by sunspots.
• Commonly used chemical exfoliants are AHAs and BHSs
• Water-soluble acids called AHAs, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, act by releasing the bonds holding together dead skin cells.

TIPS

• If you're new to chemical exfoliation, start with a lesser dose to give your skin time to adjust.
• Prior to applying the product to your entire face, it is recommended to perform a patch test on a small area of skin to assess any potential adverse reactions.
• Consult a dermatologist if you develop significant dryness, redness, or irritation after using this product.

5. Physical Protection

• In addition to skincare products, it is also important to protect the skin through various sources:-
• Wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing.
• Wear Sunglasses to protect the eyes and delicate skin around them. Look for sunglasses that completely block UVA and UVB radiation.
• Stay Hydrated: Maintaining proper hydration is crucial in promoting skin health and protecting it from the harmful effects of UV damage

Try to drink 8 glasses of water in a day.

Take Away!

Sunspots can develop on the face regardless of the season, making it crucial to safeguard your skin from harmful UV rays year-round. While sunspots themselves are harmless, they can be bothersome for some individuals.

Fortunately, there are easy ways to deal with sunspots, including developing routines like using sunscreen and using retinol and vitamin C products, wearing sunglasses, and staying hydrated. These habits not only protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays but also aid in preventing the development of sunspots on your face.

FAQ's

Q. Does vitamin C reduce sunspots?

Ans. Sunspots can be difficult to disappear, but once they are, vitamin C can help lessen their appearance. Hyperpigmentation, dark spots, age spots, and sunspots may all be brightened and their appearance diminished with vitamin C.

Q. What age do sunspots appear?

Ans. The majority of adults over 50 are most likely to get these "age spots." However, prolonged and repeated sun exposure can also cause "age spots" to appear in people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

Q. Are sunspots harmful?

Ans. No, they are not harmful. They are typically thought of as a harmless region of pigmented skin that doesn't require any sort of care. However, they might be mistaken for other sun-related patches that could be a symptom of skin cancer

Q. Does sunscreen remove sun spots?

Ans. Yes, Sunscreen removes sunspots. It is highly advisable to use SPF (50+ sunscreen with bispectrum property, which means having action on both UVA and UVB Radiations.