Thread: Sun damage - Help!

Anyone have any good advice for minimizing the already-apparent effects of sun damage? I work inside now, but spent my 20s working on my master's degree outside in wetlands, and my skin is starting to show it! I have some very minor discoloration (freckling, sun spots) on my face around my hairline from the sun, and already some crow's feet around my eyes (bleeecchh!) I don't want to go in for any laser treatments or anything, really want something I can do at home.

Am I looking for a non-existent miracle, or does someone have something that's worked for them?

First off, it sounds as though you are dealing with two different things. The first is the discoloration and the second is potentially your skin being dehydrated.

The second one is the easiest one to deal with: lots of water and a proper moisturizer. With an eye serum, if you want.

First issue, well, I am not as familar with different methods, but peals - chemical or lazer - and micro dermabrasion are the what seem to have the best results. There is several home kits of micro, not sure if any of them are effective.

{{{{HUGS}}}

I would say retinol and AHA:s is the way to go now!

I love these two budget alternatives:
Buy Alpha Hydrox Retinol ResQ Online at drugstore.com

and

Buy Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle 12% Glycolic AHA Online at drugstore.com

However-do not start out with the AHA Souffle as it´s 12% AHA!

Instead try Paula´s Choice 8% AHA gel or something else with lower procents of glycolic acid.

Also don´t use retinol and AHA products on top of each other(you´re risking irritation and they don´t work well together)!

When your skin is more used to the retinol,step up to 1% creams/lotions,
like:
SkinCeuticals 30ml/1oz Retinol 1.0 - eBay (item 350066919038 end time Jun-10-08 15:55:07 PDT)

Stay out of the sun and choose a sunscreen who protects against both UVA and UVB damage.
My favorite sunscreen is Sofina:s Perfect UV Lucent,it feels and looks like nothing on my face and gives a primer(light diffusing) effect!

Sofina Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF50 PA+++ 60ml Lucent - eBay (item 380028595916 end time Jun-16-08 00:36:56 PDT)

I would say your fist line of defense is minimizing all sun exposure now. Put sunblock on your face, back of neck (if your hair is short or you wear it up), top of your chest, forearms, and other places exposed with everyday clothing, and use it every day, not just days when you are going to be outside for an extended time. Even on cloudy days or days you are going to be inside.

Whenever you can, combine sunblock with clothing. They have really light weight high performance shirts, pants, etc. now that have 30 SPF uv blocking capability that will keep you covered and cool in the summer.

For crows feet, try the Boots no. 7 "refine and rewind" serum.

I also do biology field work, and despite always using sunscreen, my upper chest and forearms have sun damage, because I relied on sunblock alone rather than covering up with clothing.

Hydroquinone cream, 2 percent has faded my sun/pregnancy spots alot. Look in the ethnic hair care area in the drug store for it. I'm using Ambi brand and it was only eight bucks for a good sized tube. It smells awful but it works. There are other brands that are a lot more expensive but it's all the same thing and I like that this one is moisturizing at the same time. It also has a built in sun block. I too considered laser treatments for the discoloration but this has been great! I don't have to wear very much foundation, even.

Be careful of overexfoliation...my wrinkles looked worse when I did that, so I found that gentle buffing with cleanser or moisturizer mixed with baker's sugar did a much better job, and it didn't burn at all.

SkinCeuticals 30ml/1oz Retinol 1.0

I thought this (Retin A) was only available thru a doctor?

Originally Posted by ssipes

I also do biology field work, and despite always using sunscreen, my upper chest and forearms have sun damage, because I relied on sunblock alone rather than covering up with clothing.

Nice to meet you! Yes, finally a farmer clued me in and told me to start wearing long sleeves everytime I worked in the field. I thought he was nuts for wearing flannel in 100 degree weather, but then I tried it out and turns out a sweat-soaked shirt is a great air-conditioner. And a sun-stopper! Thanks for the advice.

I know you say you aren't interested in laser but IPL is the only effective thing I've tried. It got rid of sun spots like that <clicks fingers>. It also boost collagen to help with wrinkles.

Read the beauty bible by Paula Begoun to learn what can and can't be done for your skin.

cancer doctors will recommend this... SkinWest.com: Citrix CRS Serum with Growth Factor 20% 1oz.

Thanks everyone! I started an at-home AHA peel this week. I'll see how that goes & then move up to some other stuff if it doesn't do anything for me.

Originally Posted by Sonja2

Nice to meet you! Yes, finally a farmer clued me in and told me to start wearing long sleeves everytime I worked in the field. I thought he was nuts for wearing flannel in 100 degree weather, but then I tried it out and turns out a sweat-soaked shirt is a great air-conditioner. And a sun-stopper! Thanks for the advice.

so long as it's not white...that will never help! I used to get irritated when people would try to put a white t shirt on and get in the water at the pool---bad idea.

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

cancer doctors will recommend this... SkinWest.com: Citrix CRS Serum with Growth Factor 20% 1oz.

Great site-
thank you for the link,and good luck with the home peel,Sonja!:)
I´m up at 20% AHA with Neostratas High Potency,and have no irritations or redness at all:
NeoStrata High Potency Cream at DermStore