Most people enjoy spending time in the sun and developing a nice tan, but there are plenty of reasons to be guarded about exposing your skin to the sun. Moderate sun exposure is natural and healthy and an important way to get proper amounts of vitamin D. Overexposure leads to many skin problems, including premature aging and skin cancer. Even if you are careful now, skin damage adds up over time. The good news is that there are a variety of steps you can take to lessen or heal UV damage to your skin.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation involves removing the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This allows oils, dirt and excess melanin to leave the skin. Exfoliation is important for healthy skin in all cases, but it is especially important if skin has been damaged by the sun or if you are developing brown spots.

Moisturizing

Moisturizing goes together with exfoliation to restore the skin’s moisture content and keep it healthy. Since excess sun exposure dries the skin, it is important to restore that moisture. Moist, firm skin is more resistant to damage than dry, cracking skin. Both of these treatments can be done as part of a daily routine. One of the best products is aloe vera gel or lotions with very high aloe vera concentrations of greater than 60 percent. Aloe vera has natural acids that exfoliate the skin and acts as a moisturizer and healer.

Exercise

Sometimes simplicity is best. There are many advantages to regular vigorous exercise, and skin restoration is among them. Any exercise that causes sweating is widely believed to help cleanse the skin of toxins.

Use Antioxidants

Increasing antioxidant intake is said to allow your body to heal and regenerate better in all areas. Skin health benefits greatly from vitamins C and E. You should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that contain these vitamins and other antioxidant compounds and you can also apply the vitamins directly to your skin using topical creams. Skincare products are now being made with skin restoration in mind, so look for lotions, creams and ointments from trusted manufacturers that are designed for protection and repair.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

This option is something that most people will be unable to do themselves. It involves using a specialized machine to deliver multiple wavelengths of intense light to the skin. This stimulates the skin to reduce wrinkles and other signs of skin aging due to sun damage. This option requires talking to a dermatologist, but it can be rapidly effective.

Following these tips and treatments can help restore and reverse some skin damage from overexposure to the sun. Keep in mind that when it comes to sun damage, prevention is always better than restoration. Sunscreen is a must whenever you are out in the sun for long periods. Cover up your skin when not wearing sunscreen. To take full advantage of the sun without sacrificing your skin, always aim for moderate sun exposure.