We’ve all experienced a mild sunburn, but do you know what happens when your skin is overexposed to sunlight over time? Sun-damaged skin not only makes us age quicker and less attractively, but it also brings the risk of serious health problems such as cancer. If you’ve experienced sun-damaged skin, try some of these options to reverse the damage.

Creams and Applications

It might go without saying, but the first step in reversing sun-damaged skin is prevention. Any time you’ll be in the sunlight for an extended period of time, be sure to apply sunblock lotion of at least 30 SPF. If the damage has already been done, try exfoliating and moisturizing your skin to promote new cell growth and replacement. There’s also a number of sun damage reversal creams you can experiment with to see which one works best for you.

Vitamins and Antioxidants

Vitamins are essential for healthy skin growth, and antioxidants can play a major role, too. While antioxidants are abundant in certain foods, you can also find them in some of the creams mentioned above. These antioxidants will help limit production of skin-damaging cells, which are motivated by extended sun exposure. Pairing an antioxidant cream with the right vitamins can do wonders for your skin. Some of the best vitamins for reversing sun-damaged skin include vitamins A, C, and E.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

If your sun-damaged skin isn’t recovering well from creams, vitamins, or antioxidants, there are several facial plastic surgery techniques that can be used to help reverse the damage. Many laser treatments, including IPL/BBL Photorejuvenation, Erbium:YAG lasers, and microdermabrasion are used to removed dead or damaged layers of skin while promoting the growth of new skin. These non-invasive procedures are usually quick and recover minimal recovery time. Another option includes using chemical peels, which have similar effects to laser skin resurfacing, but with even less recovery time.

These techniques can be used to help reverse the effects of your sun-damaged skin, but don’t stop there. If you’re worried about your skin or fear that you may have developed a skin problem, consult with your doctor before trying any of these treatments.