Sun Protection: Why is it Extra Important After Aesthetic Treatments?

There’s plenty of reasons why skin and aesthetic doctors always remind you to protect your skin from the sun. Apart from reducing your risk of skin cancers, sun protection is also essential for avoiding sunburn and premature skin aging. This is because repeated UV exposure can age the skin faster, resulting in lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

Although there is no doubt about the importance of sun protection, it is extremely important following an aesthetic procedure. Continue reading to learn why proper sun care should be your priority and how you can protect your skin from the sun after undergoing a cosmetic treatment.

Why sun protection is extremely important

Many aesthetic treatments, especially non-invasive ones, require minimal to no downtime or side effects. In most cases, however, these procedures can also leave your skin more susceptible to the damaging effects of UV rays. Your skin is also likely to be more sensitive to the sun immediately after your treatment. 

Certain treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, and lasers cause controlled or micro trauma in the skin, which induces a sort of immune response in the body. This encourages healing of the skin or the production of new collagen. It then leads to rejuvenating results or improvement/correction of skin problems. 

During downtime or the healing process, the skin becomes more sensitive to the sun. Without proper protection, unwanted side effects like redness, burns, and swelling could occur. There is also the risk of hyperpigmentation or discoloration in the treated area. This can negate the purpose of the treatment, particularly if it is for skin brightening. 

Practice proper sun protection

Always wear sunscreen – Choose a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 30 or higher. We recommend Clear Defense SPF 45 with Broad Spectrum from Dr. Sylvia Skin Care. This lightweight formula protects the skin against UV and infrared damage. It also improves the appearance of lines and reduces redness and hyperpigmentation. 

Limit sun exposure – Avoid or limit exposure during the sun’s peak hours (between 10am and 4pm). You can plan your activities accordingly to avoid sun damage or overexposure. You can also practice the shadow rule: when your shadow is shorter than you, the UV rays from the sun are at their strongest and likely to cause damage. This means that you need to seek shade.

Accessorize – Wear a brimmed hat that covers your face and neck. A pair of sunglasses is recommended too to protect your eyes from the sun and avoid frequent squinting, which can contribute to eye wrinkles. You may want to choose those with lenses that offer 99 to 100% UV absorption for optimal skin and eyes protection. 

Seek shade – To avoid direct sun exposure, seek shade under a tree, umbrella, or other shelters. Just do take note that shades cannot entirely protect you from all forms of sun exposure. This is especially true from indirect exposure, which occurs when the rays bounce off of reflective surfaces like water, metal, or concrete. 

Be aware of the sneaky ways UV rays reach you – Some of your daily routines may unknowingly put you at risk for sun damage. These include sitting near a window that receives a lot of sunlight, sun exposure while driving or riding in a car, and going out on rainy/snowy days without sun protection. 

Don’t let aesthetic treatments work against your favor. Put in extra time and effort in protecting your skin from the sun, especially following a cosmetic procedure. Browse through our website today from more skin protection tips or contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today to learn more about our non-invasive skin rejuvenating procedures.