UV Safety Month: How to Protect and Repair Sun Damage
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Time to read 4 min
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and it's a good reminder that preventing sun damage is the number one way to keep your skin youthful and healthy. If you've noticed more fine lines, less bounce in your skin, or a few new dark spots this summer, it’s time to re-invest in sun protection and schedule that skin check.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Why UV Safety So Important Right Now?
UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer, and at least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. That statistic alone is why dermatologists and estheticians use July to push sun safety back to the top of everyone's routine, right when UV levels are at their annual peak.
But skin cancer isn't the only concern. The same UV exposure that raises cancer risk is quietly aging your skin every single day you skip protection.
What UV Exposure Actually
Does to Your Skin
UV radiation comes in two forms that damage skin differently. UVB rays are the ones responsible for sunburn and play a direct role in skin cancer risk. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, where they break down collagen and trigger the enzymes responsible for that breakdown, which is what leads to the wrinkles and loss of elasticity we associate with aging skin.
Sun is a major ager: When skin is exposed to UV, pigment-producing cells go into overdrive, which is why sun spots show up in the places that get the most exposure. Dermatologists call this photoaging, and it shows up as: fine lines, loss of firmness, and dark spots, all driven by the same UV damage.
"UV-exposed keratinocytes induce melanogenesis, thereby causing regions of hyperpigmentation clinically recognized as sun spots." (JCI, 2021)
How to Protect Your Skin
Protection is the most important step. It is the number one thing I stress with all of my clients. It is easier to protect your skin than correct your skin. Here's what I tell every client:
- Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen every single day, rain or shine. This is non-negotiable. Our Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 protects against both UVA and UVB rays, the two forms of radiation responsible for burning, collagen breakdown, and dark spots.
- Reapply every two hours if you're outdoors. One application in the morning will not carry you through a full day outside.
- Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat for the areas sunscreen often gets missed.
- Never Use a Tanning Bed. There's no safe way to tan indoors.
If Sun Damage Has Already Shown Up
If you're already seeing dark spots, wrinkles, or sagging skin, we’re here to help with a routine that can help target unwanted pigmentation and signs of photoaging.
In the morning, use Vitamin C Serum followed by Secret Pearl, then finish with Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50. Vitamin C is a thin, fast-absorbing liquid, so it goes on first, right after cleansing and toning, so it can fully penetrate. Dermatologists consistently recommend vitamin C in the morning because it helps neutralize free radicals as they form from UV exposure throughout the day, making it a perfect protection partner to your SPF. Once that's absorbed, layer on Secret Pearl, Olivia's daytime brightening anti-aging complex, to target the uneven tone and fine lines that come with sun damage.
At night, use Niacinamide Serum 10% followed by Secret Radiance. Niacinamide is gentle enough to use morning or night, but when used at night it can aid barrier repair and pigment correction while skin is in its natural overnight repair cycle. Seal this with Secret Radiance, Olivia's brightening night cream, that works overnight to rebuild the collagen that UV exposure breaks down and fade the dark spots that photoaging leaves behind, so skin wakes up firmer and more even-toned.
Professional Skincare Services Take Repair to the Next Level
The reality is, most of the things we love in life are outdoors and avoiding the sun entirely is next to impossible. That’s why we encourage our clients to invest in ongoing professional facials. Our Luminous Facial combines Jet Peel and LED light therapy to maintain tone and texture, and our Bio-Light PDT Treatment can be customized with LED light for hyperpigmentation.
For clients whose stubborn dark spots haven't responded to anything else, we recommend booking an appointment for a professional peel. We also offer our prescription only FF1 Depigmenting Treatment, which works by targeting melanin formation directly rather than just brightening the surface. Call (562) 897-1445 to schedule a consultation to find out if a peel or FF1 is right for your skin.
Summary
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer. At least one in five Americans will develop it by age 70, and skin cancer is diagnosed more often each year than all other cancers combined.
UVB rays cause sunburn and raise skin cancer risk. UVA rays penetrate deeper and break down collagen, leading to wrinkles and loss of firmness.
UV exposure also triggers pigment production, which is why sun spots and hyperpigmentation show up in the most exposed areas.
Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50, reapplied every two hours, is your strongest daily defense.
For existing sun damage, use Vitamin C Serum and Secret Pearl in the morning, then Niacinamide Serum 10% and Secret Radiance at night.
For stubborn dark spots that haven't responded to skincare, an FF1 consultation targets pigmentation at the source. The Luminous Facial and Bio-Light PDT Treatment help maintain results as an ongoing routine.
Olivia Quido
Olivia Quido is a licensed esthetician and skincare expert known for her results-driven approach to treating acne and dark spots, and is the founder of Olivia Quido Skincare and owner of O Skin Med Spa.
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