Fighting Sun Damage: How to Protect Yourself from Dark Spots and Wrinkles
Diet is often overlooked when we think about the essentials in our skincare routine. The
typical initial thought is to slather a generous amount of sunscreen all over the exposed
skin, but there’s one crucial step your skin-protection routine might be missing:
Breakfast!
Why eating these foods in the morning can be essential to our skin?
Turns out we have a “skin clock,” says Joseph S. Takahashi, PhD, chairman of
neuroscience at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Peter O’
Donnell Jr. Brain Institute. In his 2017 study, Takahashi and his team found that an
enzyme that repairs UV-damaged skin has a daily cycle of production that can be
altered by eating food at unusual times.
1. Blueberries– are rich in powerful antioxidants that fight off free radicals that can
damage skin. Sun exposure and stress can also contribute to skin damage.
Blueberries are even more powerful if they are from a wild variety. They’re also a
good source of vitamin C, which can help prevent wrinkles from a day on the
beach.
2. Watermelon– Contains lycopene which absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation,
although it may take several weeks for the skin to become more photoprotective
due to its turnover rate, according to a study from 2012.
After a few weeks of consuming watermelon, lycopene can eventually act as a
natural sunblock. However, this is not to be fully replaced by the protective
measures of using SPF lotions. When it comes to anti-aging it’s best to use both.
3. Nuts and Seeds– Walnuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and flax are all jammed
packed with omega-3 essential fatty acids. Our bodies can’t make omega-3s, so it
is essential to incorporate them in our diet.
Omega 3s- Help to maintain your skin’s integrity and are anti-inflammatory, too.
Omega-3’s also help your body naturally cope with the effects of spending a bit
too much time in the sun.
4. Carrots and leafy greens– Our bodies convert beta carotene into vitamin A,
which is vital for skin health. Beta carotene provided natural sun protection after
10 weeks of regular supplementation.
Eating a variety of foods rich in this nutrient makes getting the daily quota a little
easier. Carrots and leafy greens like kale and spinach are great beta carotene-
packed additions to your meals, even breakfast smoothies.
5. Green tea– In a 2010 study, researchers found it reduced skin damage from UVA
light and protected against the decrease of collagen. Collagen is our body’s most
abundant protein. It gives skin integrity and firmness.
More spots than a leopard? Yikes!
There are so many options to treat dark spots and wrinkles in the current market, it can
be overwhelming!
For age spots also known as dark spots you’ll find two main options:
1. Creams and lotions
2. Procedures (invasive and non-invasive)
You will find plenty of skin-lighting products that manufacturers claim will get rid of age
spots, many you can buy over the counter without a prescription. Skin lightener
containing mercury can cause serious health problems.
A dermatologist can recommend a skin lightener that can effectively treat age spots
without compromising your heath.
Microdermabrasion (procedure) and Chemical peeling (procedure) – This is another
effective option with guaranteed results. During the microderm abrasion procedure a
dermatologist will smooth away age spots. Studies show that this can be quite effective
especially when a patient also has a chemical peel.
In one study, some patients were treated with microdermabrasion once every 2 weeks
for 16 weeks. About 40% of these patients saw their age spots completely disappear.
The patients who received microdermabrasion and a chemical peel had better results.
Half of these patients saw their age spots completely
disappear.https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/age-spots-marks/get-rid-spots