Summer is in full swing and you’re worried the spots on your face are getting darker. You wear SPF regularly; you wear a hat and sunglasses and unfortunately your concealer can't hide your spots anymore. Its a never-ending cycle. Thankfully there may be a few simple tweaks you can make to your selfcare routine that can help keep dark spots under control.
1. Let's look at sunscreens. You might make your purchasing decision based on a high sun protection factor (SPF) number and call it a day but the reality is that number only accounts for the amount of time your skin is protected from sun exposure. Let's say you can go into the sun for 15 minutes and get a sunburn. That means an SPF 30 would protect you for about 450 minutes (7.5 hours) before getting burned (15min x 30SPF). Choosing a sunscreen based on its composition is a better place to start. A mineral based sunscreen such as one that includes zinc is one of the only ingredients in sunscreen that will give you 100% of the physical protection your skin needs. Zinc has full broad-spectrum coverage- protecting you from all UVA and UVB rays. If you struggle with hyperpigmentation and/or melasma, this is VITAL. If you suffer from acne, zinc is something to consider as it also aids in wound healing and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal breakouts. Look for SPF’s that contain at least 12% zinc.
Recommended Products: Skin Better Science Sunbetter Sheer SPF 56, Jan Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF 45
2. If you haven’t already done so, consider adding products containing vitamin C to your routine. Vitamin C is high in antioxidants relieving the skin of oxidative stress as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory. Hyperpigmentation is caused by inflammation in the skin. When antioxidants are applied topically they've proved to brighten skin however, adding plenty of antioxidant rich foods or supplements to your diet will give your skin the extra boost of nutrition it needs.
Recommended Products: Jan Marini C-Esta Serum
3. Treating skin issues whether it’s pigmentation or acne is always linked to internal factors as well as external. Not only is it important to use nutrient rich skincare topically, but it's just as important to stick to a diet that's rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. Not only does your skin need the protection from oxidative stress to repair sun damage but in order for it to maintain its building blocks for healthy collagen and elastin, you must eat enough healthy fats. A diet rich in Omega 3’s is necessary for your skin to have all the fuel it needs to get those melanocytes (pigment producing cells) functioning properly, preventing them from going haywire and causing more pigmentation on the skin. We could get much more in depth about this as there are so many factors playing a role but to keep this a quick read, we'll keep it simple: eat a diet rich in Omega 3s: such as avocado, salmon and nuts.
4. Another way you can help boost the protection of your skin is by taking Heliocare. Heliocare is a natural supplement that contains many ingredients to protect you from the harmful effects of the sun. A great supplement to take during the summer months if you are especially sensitive to sun exposure. Of course, if you have any underlying health condition, you'll want to clear this with your doctor first.
5. If you currently have sun damage and/or melasma, there are many in office options for you to choose from even during the summer months. Two of the treatments our patients get the best results from when looking for perfectly flawless skin: Clear + Brilliant and microneedling . Although both these treatments can be done during the summer months, you’ll still want to be sure to avoid sun exposure for 1-2 weeks following your treatment.
If you have any questions or want to schedule a consultation, give us a call at 212.288.1011 or schedule through the chat at www.klausnerinstitute.com . We look forward to seeing you.
