To fight the damage, try:
- Skin-lightening creams: Products with hydroquinone can lighten skin.
- Retinoids: Along with smoothing wrinkles, these compounds speed up the turnover and shedding of pigmented cells.
- Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen freezes the area so that it peels away.
Best body lotion for eczema, sun damage and more
- Best eczema lotion. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ $15 at Skinstore.
- Best lotion for oily skin. Neutrogena Hydro Boost. $16 at Amazon.
- Best fragrance-free lotion. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. $9 at Amazon.
- Best everyday SPF lotion. ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica.
- Best lotion for dry skin. Skinfix Barrier+ Lipid-Boost Body Cream.
The goal is to do things the help the skin regenerate and protect it from further harm.
- Apply sunscreen.
- Wear clothing that provide UV protection.
- Drink sufficient water.
- Use skin moisturizers.
- Get enough sleep.
- Use lip balm.
- Use clean sheets and pillow cases.
- Exercise (sweat)
Sunburns can be treated with topical aloe vera gel and cool compresses to relieve pain. Long-term sun damage is more difficult to treat. Unfortunately, the damage caused to the collagen in the skin is permanent and can't be reversed.
Carrots and leafy greensCarrots and leafy greens like kale and spinach are great beta carotene-packed additions to your meals, even breakfast smoothies. In particular, leafy greens are high in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These have been found to protect against wrinkling, sun damage, and even skin cancer.
Of course, you can't reverse the signs of aging completely. You can go the nonsurgical route and add firming creams or facial exercises to your skincare routine. There are also cosmetic procedures that provide quicker results, such as laser surfacing or ultrasound skin tightening.
Coconut oil may help moisturize sunburned skin and help minimize itching and peeling, but play it safe and only apply it after your skin has cooled.
You can also try these natural remedies:
- Whip Up an Olive Oil Cleanser to Soothe Dry Skin.
- DIY a Rich, Creamy Avocado Mask.
- Make a Natural Olive Oil and Sugar Scrub.
- Create an Easy Oatmeal Soak to Calm Your Skin.
- Exfoliate Your Face With a Homemade Oatmeal Honey Mask.
- Apply Coconut Oil Before Bedtime.
Reduces age spotsRegular use of apple cider vinegar can reduce age spots. The alpha hydroxy acids present in it will make your skin healthy and remove dead skin. Mix apple cider vinegar and water in 1:1 ratio and wash your face with it. You can also use a cotton ball to apply this solution on your face.
Lemon juice is a perfect natural bleaching agent that can effectively fade age spots. We all know what age spots look like — tiny brown dark spots that can develop on your hands and face.
Treatment
- Medications. Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over several months.
- Laser and intense pulsed light.
- Freezing (cryotherapy).
- Dermabrasion.
- Microdermabrasion.
- Chemical peel.
Below, we rounded up the best dark spot correctors that actually work.
- Best Overall: Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Cleansing Bar.
- Best Splurge: SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum.
- Best Hydroquinone-Free: PCA Skin HQ-Free Pigment Gel.
- Best With Hydroquinone: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum.
Apple cider vinegar for dark spotsApple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that may help lighten skin pigmentation and improve the overall appearance of your skin. To use this remedy you need to mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl. Apply to your dark patches and leave on 5 to 7 minutes.
Use Aloe Vera GelAs we all know aloe vera is the jack of all trades, you should use its goodness to remove dark spots from your face. To use this, mix 2 tsp of fresh aloe vera gel and 1 tsp honey in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. Then apply it all over the affected area and let it dry.
Pigmentation treatment at home
- Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a container.
- Apply to your dark patches and leave on two to three minutes.
- Rinse using lukewarm water.
- Repeat twice daily you achieve the results you desire.
Most sunspots fade somewhat over time, but they will typically not disappear completely because the skin has been permanently damaged. There are, however, several treatments to diminish the appearance of sunspots. Bleaching creams and acid peels can make the appearance of sunspots less obvious.
Exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis. UV rays can also cause eye problems.
UV light is used in many food industry applications as it is completely safe, low maintenance and does not require the use of any chemicals or pesticides. UV lamps can effectively eliminate viruses like E. Coli and Salmonella as well as many other microbes which cause food to spoil.
This condition, called photokeratitis, usually goes away on its own within a few days. In the short term, UV ray exposure and eye sunburn can cause uncomfortable symptoms. In the long term, serious conditions, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and eyelid cancer may result.
The skin of people who are sensitive to light can't protect itself from UV radiation for long. In very fair-skinned people, UV radiation starts becoming harmful after about 5 to 10 minutes.
The numerous scientists who have studied the possible danger to human beings all agree that it is harmless under normal conditions of use. Neither UVB, nor UVC are used in UV fly killers. – A specific European norm exists for UV fly killers, the EN 60335-2-59.
If not used or implemented properly, direct exposure to germicidal ultraviolet lighting can have damaging effects on both materials and people. Over exposure to UV-C lighting can harm humans in a variety of ways, such as eye and skin damage. This is a great guide from the EPA on safety and UV lamps.
How do we get vitamin D? Our body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on our skin when we're outdoors.
It's not too late to protect your skin from the sun, and even reverse the damage that's already been done.
