How to Prevent and Repair Stubborn Sun Spots:
1. LED light therapy is a non-invasive way to zap sun spots and brighten skin tone, Wong says. During a 30-minute session, LED red and near-infrared light pass through and “kick start” cells to rejuvenate skin.
2. Overheating increases melanin activity, so cool down skin as soon as possible after sun exposure and exercise. A cold cloth or ice pack will do the trick, or try freezing toner in ice cube trays (one of last week’s tips for beating the heat).
3. Apply topical creams that have Vitamins C and E, which fight the free radicals that can cause damage, for an extra layer of protection under your suncscreen. (That you’re wearing sunscreen every day goes without saying.) The Pure Natural Skincare offers Vitamin C facial cleanser, scrub, moisturizer, concentrate serum and eye gel to repair and protect sun-damaged skin.
4. Taking vitamin E supplements following sun exposure could help reduce sunburn cells, according to Skintherapyletter.com. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reports that subjects who ingested 2,000 mg of vitamin C and 1,000 IS of vitamin E could stay in the sun 20 times longer than people who didn’t take the supplements before they burned.
5. Perfumes and colognes can encourage sun spots. Best not to wear them if you’ll be in the sun.
DIY RECIPES
Parsley and Lemon Mask
- Handful of chopped parsley
- 3-4 drops lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
Mix ingredients. Apply to skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse.
Vinegar and Lemon Rinse
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3-4 drops lemon juice
Mix ingredients. Use to rinse face.
From the Below HL&S Daily Retreat & Renew Tip eblast… Overexposed? You Can Fade Sun Spots
I wasn’t born with freckles; no babies are. Freckles come as a direct result of sun exposure, and over the years I’ve cultivated my fair share. I can’t take back all the teenage years that I carelessly spent sunbathing while I slathered my body with baby oil and iodine, but I can be vigilant about exposing my skin to the sun now. In addition to always wearing sunscreen, I’ve found ways to hyper-protect my skin and fade those troublesome reminders of my reckless youth.
Fair-skinned people are most at risk, but no one is safe from sun spots, freckles and hyperpigmentation if they spend time in the sun. Sun damage is serious—often a precursor to skin cancer—and it isn’t pretty. Excess pigmentation, broken capillaries and wrinkles are also a result of too much unprotected sun time. The sun’s UV rays weaken collagen and elastin, and long-term exposure causes melanin-producing cells to gather in clusters known as sun spots.
Most sun spots aren’t cancerous, but it’s a good idea to see a doctor about irregular spots or dramatic changes. For severe spots, medical treatments could include laser therapy, cryotherapy (freezing) and dermabrasion. Regular facials and exfoliation can also help break apart and lessen the appearance of pigmented cells, but be aware that too much scrubbing can trigger more melanin. Go easy, with a gentle formula such as Mychelle Apple Brightening Cleanser, formulated to soften skin and diminish discoloration.
Cecilia Wong, founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare in New York City, recommends using her Black Currant Anti-Aging Mask to stimulate cell repair with phytonutrients, vitamins and essential fatty acids. The mask contains licorice, which brightens skin and helps fade hyperpigmentation marks. Or, Wong suggests, you can whip up your own mask and rinse using ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard. Just follow Wong’s super simple recipes below.
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