Erase Sun Damage at Every Age
Summer may be long gone, but the ugly effects of sun damage can linger on. Here's how to effectively get rid of dark spots, rough texture, and lackluster skin-fast.
20s SLATHER ON A SERUM
This tactic is perfect if you're short on time. New York dermatologist Patricia Wexler recommends exfoliating in the shower before applying a lightening serum and a moisturizer with SPF. You'll see a difference in 30 days. Try IS Clinical White Lightening Serum ($68) with Norwegian kelp and mushroom extracts and Patricia Wexler MD Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($39.50).
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30s GET WITH A PROGRAM
If you completely revamp your routine, you're guaranteed to see results. "I believe in a daily system," says Wexler. "A treatment once a week or once a month won't accomplish that much." Kinerase PhotoFacials Sun Damage Reversal System ($100) comes with an exfoliating cleanser, a moisturizer with SPF 50 (to keep new spots at bay), and a powerful nighttime treatment.
Related: 17 Sneaky Ways to Look Younger
40s FIX YOUR DIET
"The sun produces massive amounts of free-radical damage," cautions Lindsey Duncan, a nutritionist popular with A-listers and founder of Genesis Today. "Eat antioxidant-rich foods to neutralize the damage." He recommends the superfruits açaí, goji, noni, and mangosteen and vitamin-A-rich kale.
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50s TRY A SPOT TREATMENT
To banish lingering sun damage, there are potent products that, when used daily, decrease melanin production, keeping discoloration from getting darker while erasing sun spots. Try Kiehl's Photo-Age Corrector High-Potency Spot Treatment ($50). Want a more aggressive formula? Ask your derm about a prescription hydroquinone, like Tri-Luma Cream.
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60+ LIGHTEN WITH LASERS
At this age, you may need a high-powered approach. Wexler recommends the Fraxel re:pair laser, about $1,000 per session. Not ready for the big guns? Try Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector ($44.50), which corrects UV damage with an enzyme complex. Clinical data suggest that in 12 weeks you'll see 63 percent of the results you'd have with a laser.
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