Can Sunblock Repair Sun Damaged Skin?

By Sandiva Skincare
13 February, 2024

Sun damaged skin is a common concern that affects people of all ages, often manifesting as premature ageing signs.

In this blog post, we will deep dive into the cause and signs of sun damaged skin, whether sunblock can repair it and why it is essential to include sunblock in your daily skincare routine to protect it from further sun damage.

What Causes Sun Damage?

Prolonged exposure to the sun can damage your skin's health affecting its growth and appearance.

There are 3 types of UV rays the sun disperses, each causing a different kind of damage:

UVA rays: This form of solar radiation damages skin at all levels—including the surface layer (epidermis) down deep into the deepest layer (dermis). Several parts are affected when UVA rays penetrate the skin through those layers. They damage the skin’s collagen and elastin fibres, which are responsible for its youthful tautness and elasticity.
UVB rays: This type of solar radiation damages the outer layer of the skin. UVB rays damage DNA more potently than UVA in the epidermis and can cause photoaging.
UVC rays: Almost all of these sun rays are absorbed by the ozone layer in the atmosphere and as a result, are not much of a damage risk.

Signs of Sun Damaged Skin

1. Sunburn: Acute damage caused by overexposure to UVB rays, resulting in redness, inflammation, and discomfort.

2. Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots or patches on the skin, often known as sunspots or age spots, are caused by an overproduction of melanin in response to UV exposure.

3. Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Premature ageing, characterized by the development of wrinkles and fine lines.

4. Texture Changes: Sun damage can cause the skin to become rough & uneven, and may contribute to the development of a leathery texture.

5. Dryness and Dehydration: Prolonged sun exposure can deplete the skin's natural moisture, resulting in dryness, flakiness, and an overall loss of hydration.

6. Redness and Inflammation: Chronic exposure to UV radiation can lead to chronic inflammation, contributing to conditions like rosacea and exacerbating existing skin sensitivities.

Can Sunblock Repair Sun Damage?

Sunblock is primarily designed to prevent sun damage rather than repair existing damage to the skin. Sunblock works by creating a protective barrier on the skin that absorbs or reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun - Chemical sunblock contains ingredients that absorb the UV rays and release them from the body in the form of heat while Physical sunblock contains active ingredients like Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide that reflect UV rays away from the skin. To understand which is a better choice read our blog post on Physical Sunscreen vs Chemical Sunscreen.

While sunblock doesn’t act to reverse sun damage that has already occurred, blocking the source of the damage is the first step to allowing your skin to start the process of healing.

To address sun damaged skin, it's essential to take preventive measures such as using sunscreen with SPF, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding excessive sun exposure, especially during peak hours. Additionally, incorporating a skincare routine that focuses on repairing and rejuvenating the skin can help mitigate the effects of sun damage.

Using Sunblock in Your Daily Skincare Routine

It's never too late to start practising sun safety and prevent further sun damage to your skin.

For effective sun protection, it's essential to apply sunblock generously to all exposed skin, even on cloudy days, and reapply it regularly, especially after swimming or sweating. Choosing a broad-spectrum sunblock with an appropriate SPF for your skin type and intended sun exposure is crucial in preventing sun damage and promoting overall skin health.

Sandiva’s One & Done Tinted Sunblock is a broad spectrum SPF 35+, PA++++ physical sunblock that uses Zinc Oxide to form a physical shield on top of your skin and provide heavy-duty protection from UVA and UVB sun damage. This lightweight lotion has a beautiful mousse-like texture and is packed with the goodness of pure sandalwood to calm skin inflammation caused by sun exposure.

It comes in 4 different tints and blends in perfectly with most Indian skin tones, leaving no white cast.

Your cart is currently empty.

Shopping Cart

Tags

Recent Post

Is Niacinamide Se...

Sandalwood Skin B...

The Ultimate Sunb...

Archive