Summer is coming: what to know to prevent sunspots

With the arrival of the summer one of the major concerns is linked to the appearance of sunspots .

But before finding out how to prevent them, you need to know how to recognize and treat them .

Sunspots appear on the skin due to excessive exposure to the sun . Typically, they appear flat and in shades of brown, but their shapes and sizes can vary.

They are the consequence of an alteration in the pigmentation of the skin , caused by the radiation of UV rays, especially after long exposures and during the hottest times. The cells, producing melanin , cause its appearance.

The parts most affected are those most exposed to the sun such as shoulders, arms and especially the face . But be careful! They don’t just show up in adulthood; for this reason it is important to prevent it at a young age through the use of the right products .

How to recognize the different types of sunspots?

We can distinguish and catalog sunspots based on their color .

If the spots are lighter than your skin color , the skin pigment has been compromised to the point of generating hypopigmentation . The main causes are sea fungus , which can occur with sweat and humidity, and atopy or idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis caused by excessive exposure to UV rays.

If, however, the spots are darker , it means that there has been an increase in pigmentation . Some possible causes are the use of photosensitizing supplements , exposure to the sun of recently depilated skin, abrasion of the epidermal surface , or hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause.

How to prevent its appearance?

The first precaution to never forget is to apply sunscreen daily , especially on the face, even during the winter season or in the presence of cloudy skies, to protect the skin from solar radiation.

During summer , however, the rays are more intense and therefore more aggressive, especially during hours of intense heat . To prevent the skin from dehydrating and suffering premature aging, the ideal would be to use a sunscreen with SPF 50+, even several times a day .

In addition to classic sun creams, today many cosmetic products are also made with the aim of protecting the skin from the sun. For example, colored protective creams can be used as a foundation or, vice versa, foundations that contain sun protection within them: both give uniformity to the skin tone and at the same time protect it from the sun’s rays.

Further measures to avoid the onset of sunspots can be adopted in everyday life: following a diet rich in fruit and vegetables , drinking lots of water to hydrate the skin and trying to avoid going out at too hot times can be powerful allies in the fight against sunspots!

Another dangerous enemy of the skin that not everyone knows about is perfume .

This, if applied before exposure to the sun, stimulates an excess of melanin and pigmentation and increases the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, favoring the appearance of sun spots.

How to eliminate sunspots already present?

Do you already have sunspots and want to get rid of them? Don’t worry, today there are several remedies .

Aesthetic medicine, for example, offers treatments ranging from laser therapy to cryotherapy, from dermabrasion to peelings.

Other more delicate remedies can be found among photoprotective supplements , designed specifically to defend the skin from the sun’s rays, or lightening creams with depigmenting action , which protect and lighten dark spots, also preventing their reappearance.

Finally, there are also many natural and effective remedies that can also be prepared in the kitchen! For example compresses with lemon drops or aloe vera gel , to be applied in the evening before going to sleep. Another DIY remedy is gentian , which can be applied to the skin after having cooked it in boiling water and then filtered.