With summer's arrival comes a fun fact: did you know the sun’s rays account for 80 per cent of facial aging? That means you can’t just blame genetics for those fine lines. The most common skin concerns such as wrinkles, lack of firmness, vascular disorders and dark or light spots can all be caused by Mr. Sun!
We caught up with skin therapist Denise Leeworthy at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Bloor West, Toronto, to learn how to help stop and reverse the signs of sun damage:
sunscreen: One of the things estheticians have been telling us for years is to wear a sunscreen from forehead to chest every day. Though we've all used the excuse that we “don’t like the smell of sunscreen” and “it doesn’t sit well under makeup,” it’s 2017 and there are tonnes of amazing products on the market that negate these conerns. Unfortunately, the SPF 15 in your foundation isn't enough coverage for a day out in the sun. Rather, Leeworthy recommends Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 because it not only improves skin’s firmness and hydration but is a broad-spectrum SPF that protects you from UVA and UVB rays. And, when it comes to sunscreen for the rest of your body, pick up a product you like to put on your arms, legs and hands to keep them looking young. There are even mineral makeup products with SPF in them that you can put over your neck and chest to protect you.
facials: Hand & Stone offers two treatments performed by professional estheticians that can help reverse sun damage. Despite what you may have heard about summer not being a great time for a peel treatment, an active peel can give you glowing skin all year round so long as you are diligent about your sun protection. This peel uses acids to slough off old dead skin cells on the outside of the skin while disturbing your skin cells at a dermal level to cause cell turnover. You glow directly after the treatment but you will see even better results a couple weeks later, when your new skin comes to the surface. This treatment helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and peel away dark spots caused by the sun. The second facial treatment, called Active Resruface 35, uses active ingredients like niacinamide or retinol and LED technology to target inflammation, acne scarring, sensitivity, dehydration, hyperpigmentation and, of course, aging caused by sun damage. The esthetician uses massage movements to penetrate active ingredients deep into the skin. This facial is a relaxing treatment that helps brighten brown spots from sun damage and give you the summer glow you've been looking for!
There are lots of great options to save your sun-damaged skin during the summer months but, just remember, sunscreen is the No. 1 anti-aging ingredient to use! —Miranda Voth
