The Must-Have Ingredients for Tackling Sun Damaged Skin

Prevention is always better than cure with sun damaged skin, but it’s likely we’ll forever see patients who don’t use or simply don’t apply enough sunscreen throughout the year.

And with the weather heating up and your patients heading off on their holidays, you can expect to see an influx of requests for sun damage treatments pretty soon!

Being prepared with a selection of treatment options makes good business sense, while ensuring you are an aesthetic practitioner patients can rely on.

But before investing in any new product, it’s important to understand what you’re aiming to resolve, how it occurs and the science behind effective treatment.

Understanding sun damaged skin

Sun damage occurs as a result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. There are three types of UV light – A, B and C. UVC is mainly absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere so does not reach us, whereas UVA and UVB both damage skin.

• UVA penetrates deeply, breaking down collagen and elastin in our dermis which leads to the formation of wrinkled and sagging skin. It also increases hyperpigmentation, leaving dark patches on skin.
• UVA indirectly damages DNA through the generation of free radicals, which can lead to cell mutations and skin cancer over time.
• UVB primarily affects the outer layer of skin and is the main cause of sunburn. It directly damages the DNA in skin cells, which can lead to skin cancer. Using sunscreen and staying out of the sun is the best way to prevent both UVA and UVB damage.

Hyperpigmentation from sun damage

Hyperpigmentation is characterised by darkened patches or spots on the skin. It is most commonly seen on areas that receive the most sun exposure, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms.

Hyperpigmentation occurs because UV rays stimulate melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour). Excessive UV exposure can lead to an overproduction of melanin, resulting in dark spots.

There are three types of hyperpigmentation:

• Solar Lentigines: Also known as liver spots or age spots, these are flat, brown or black spots that appear on sun-exposed areas.
• Melasma: Often triggered by hormonal changes, melasma presents as larger, dark patches, typically on the face, and can be worsened by UV exposure.
• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Dark spots that develop after an inflammatory skin condition or injury, often exacerbated by sun exposure.

Sunscreen, protective clothing such as hats and sunglasses, and staying in the shade during peak sunshine hours can all help prevent sun damage and hyperpigmentation. However, if a patient does develop hyperpigmentation, there are treatments that can help.

Successfully treating sun damaged skin

When choosing an effective product for your sun-damaged patients, there are a few ingredients you must look out for. These include:

Antioxidants

Antioxidants such as vitamin C helps to neutralise free radicals, brighten the skin, and boost collagen production. Vitamin E also protects the skin from oxidative stress and works well with Vitamin C.

But if you’re after a real powerhouse product, choose something with glutathione. Often regarded as one of the most powerful antioxidants, glutathione neutralises free radicals that contribute to hyperpigmentation, while brightening and lightening skin.

Retinoids

Vitamin A promotes cell turnover, which helps fade dark spots and improves skin texture.

Tyrosinase inhibitors

Hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin and licorice extract all inhibit tyrosinase activity, an enzyme involved in melanin production. Using these will help to lighten hyperpigmentation and create a more even skin tone.

Exfoliants

Alpha and beta hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and helping to fade dark spots. Try glycolic acid, lactic acid or salicylic acid.

Tranexamic acid

Found to be particularly effective for treating melasma, tranexamic acid works by inhibiting the interaction between melanocytes and keratinocytes, thus reducing melanin production.

Your go-to treatment approach

Combining three of the above listed ingredients – glutathione, arbutin and tranexamic acid – alongside other essential skin rejuvenating ingredients is Neofound Whitening.

This injectable product transforms skin in just three treatment sessions, significantly reducing the appearance of dark spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

To complement treatment, we highly recommend Ivory Gold. This cream can be used daily to help reduce hyperpigmentation, while hydrating and tightening skin.

Order your products today!