sun-damaged skin?

Question

i went to get a facial the other day and the girl told me my skin had a lot of sun damage. She swore by IPL treatments and said i should get some. I cant afford it though and wondered if anything else might work. Peels, lotions, whatever. any suggestions or should i bite the bullet and get IPL? Thanks so much for all the help

Answer 1

It depends on what your "sun damage" is. For brown age spots, look for these ingredients on the top or beginning of the ingredient-list:

1. Hydroquinone 2%, the maximum strength available without a prescription, is found in most fade creams, lotions, or facial creams. Anything higher than 2% requires a doctor's prescription.

2. Vitamin E or aka Tocopherol. The most potent forms are Alpha Tocopherol and Tocotrienols. Most topical creams and lotions contain very little of it (usually listed on the bottom half of their ingredients list), so it is more cost-efficient to buy the oil or capsule form and mix it with your facial moisturizer.

3. Vitamin C.or aka Ascorbic Acid. Some doctors argue that L-Ascorbic Acid is the better, more stable form of Vitamin C, while others cheer for Ascorbic Acid form. 10% concentration of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is also a stable, effective form of Vitamin C, but most skincare products only contain less than 1% concentration. Regardless of medical debates, look for it to be listed on the top or the beginning of the ingredients list to get a decent amount. Cellex-C serum, a bit expensive ($90 for a 30 ml bottle), has a very effective concentration.

4. Kojic Acid.
It is a by-product in the fermentation of malting rice for use in the manufacture of Sake, a Japanese rice wine. A combination of Glycolic Acid and Kojic Acid, or Glycolic Acid with Hydroquinone are highly effective. But Kojic Acid is very unstable (any air or sun exposure will make it turn brown, decreasing its effect), so most cosmetic companies use Kojic Dipalmitate as an alternative. Donell's Lightening Gel has enough Kojic Acid to work effectively.

5. Azelaic Acid.
Effective in 20% concentration formulation.

6. Arbutin.
A hydroquinone derivative extracted from the leaves of bearberry shrub, cranberry, blueberry, and most types of pears. However, most cosmetic companies don't use "arbutin" in their products due to patents controlling its use in skincare products. Instead, they use plant extracts that contain arbutin, such as bearberry.

With my experience, Shiseido's Whitess Intensive Skin Brightener ($120 for 1.4 oz) contains the highest concentration of arbutin (5%) on the market. It really does work, but my skin is rather sensitive to it, burning my skin after daily use (2 applications daily) for about 1 week.

7. Tretinoin is another excellent antioxidant for cellular renewal, collagen production, elasticity, and skin texture. However, the skin lightening results can take far longer than other treatments, requiring at least 6 months before improvement is seen. Therefore, you must use it in combination with Hydroquinone or other treatments listed above.

8. Alpha Hydroxy Acids.
Much like laser treatments, AHA peels (50% concentration) is excellent for removing skin discolorations, but you must get those peels done professionally by doctors. Most AHA products on the market, with only 4%-10% concentration, are ineffective.

If the skin is deeply wrinkled already, there's no OTC cream available to cure that. You would need to seek professional help with a dermatologist. The laser procedure is effective and permanent, but it's very expensive ($1,000+) and requires multiple treatments.

Now that our ozone layer has more holes, regardless of which method you try, you must protect your skin from further damage with daily sunscreen, even if you're just going out for a short 30-minute lunch. Use SPF 15+.

Healthy sun exposure only requires 10 minutes daily during off-peak hours (before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.).

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Artistry has something called Bright idea illuminating Essence that works great at getting rid of sun damage and age spots. It's actually guarenteed to work or they'll refund all of your money. I can give you the direct link so you can read about it and even buy it if it sounds like what you are looking for.

http://adrennan.qhealthbeauty.com/products/product.aspx?itemno=100790

It is very concentrated so you only need to use a little bit each time and it lasts quite a while. I hope this answered your question :)

Answer 4

Try Clarins-Paris Bright Plus HP skin care line and a good sun screen like Clarins UV Plus spf 40 and stay out of the sun! It will take at least 12 weeks to see good results but it will be worth it!

Answer 5

Try going to a dermatologist. They'd know better. Stay out of the sun and always put sunblock on, even if it's winter and you'll be outside for a few minutes. Damaged skin will eventually repair itself if you keep it healthy and out of the sun.

Answer 6

Apply fresh Aloe Vera on the brown spots and rub.

Mix onion juice with vinegar (1:2 teaspoons), and apply on the brown spots.

Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of orange juice; soak a cotton ball and apply on spots.

Apply some lemon juice on the brown spots (be ware from the sun).

Blanch scented geranium leaves in boiling water, strain, cool and apply.

Mix 1 tablespoon of sour cream ( 0% fat for oily face), 1 tablespoon of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of grind oatmeal and 3-4 drops of lemon juice. Apply on the brown spots, leave for 10 minutes and wash off.

Apply watermelon peel on the brown spot.

Cut horseradish and saturate the pieces in warm milk, Cool and apply on the brown spots.

Answer 7

A Blue Peel is about a hundred dollars, and is worth every penny. In one week your skin looks healthier and younger. Your skin will flake off for about a week, but you won't need to take off from work.

Answer 8

IPL is an expensive treatment for pigmentations caused ny sun exposure.. you can lighten or remove them by using a good skin lightening product, a high spf sunscreen, your moisturizers to keep it rosy, and vitamin C.. this is how i do it successfully. :-)