Sun Damage: The 10-Year Delayed Effect on Your Skin

Sun Damage and Your Skin: A Decade-Long Time Bomb?

We're all familiar with the age-old advice: Wear a shirt, apply SPF, and wear a hat. But what if you're following all that advice but still noticing visible signs of aging appearing out of nowhere?

Sun exposure leads to DNA damage in your skin cells, a precursor to visible signs of aging and skin cancer.

This DNA damage can lay dormant, slowly accumulating over the years until it finally reveals itself in various forms.

The Delayed Reveal

You may be wondering why there's such a significant delay between exposure and visible signs.

This is because your skin is continually renewing itself, but this process slows down as we age.

Damage done in our younger years might not become visible until our skin's renewal process starts to lag.

Signs of Sun Damage

Delayed sun damage can lead to dark spots, wrinkles, changed skin texture, and, in serious cases, skin cancer.

It's never too late to check for signs of sun damage, so make sure you're monitoring your skin closely and regularly, as well as seeing your dermatologist yearly for skin checks.

What Can Be Done?

While we can't turn back time, there are steps you can take to prevent further damage and address existing damage:

Sunscreen, Always: The best way to prevent sun damage is to continue protecting your skin from the sun.

That means using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days.

Incorporate Antioxidants: Antioxidants like vitamin C and E can neutralize harmful free radicals generated by sun exposure, helping to prevent future damage. We recommend Daily Skin Clarifier by Glymed Plus, Vitamin E Cream by Glymed Plus, Vitamin C Cream by Glymed Plus, Super Serum by iS Clinical, or Pro-Heal Serum by iS Clinical.

Consider Retinoids: Retinoids can increase cell turnover, helping to reduce the appearance of sun damage over time. We recommend: Moisturizing Complex by iS Clinical or Retinol Rejuvenation Serum by Glymed Plus

Professional Treatments: For significant sun damage, professional treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser therapy may be recommended by your skincare professional. You can book your free virtual or in person consult here.

Although the process is slow, sun damage is a progressive condition. But with the right esthetician, knowledge, and skincare routine, you can keep your skin looking healthy and youthful for years to come.

Talk next week!

Maria