Blog

Knowing how to protect your skin from sun damage is important, but it’s even more crucial if you have recently undergone a cosmetic procedure. Protecting your newly-sculpted skin with sun protection will not only keep you healthy and looking young, but also help reduce visible scarring. Here are a few important ways to protect your skin during your plastic surgery recovery.

Apply SPF Daily

After surgery, your skin naturally begins to heal. To protect your new skin cells from the harmful effects UV damage, you should use a high-quality, broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF level of at least 30. Applying this type of sunblock will not only protect your skin from any pigmentation and visible scarring, but it can also help prevent aging that occurs from sun damage. Make sure to wear it daily, even if you’re going to spend much of your time inside. Also reapply it every 2 hours when spending time outside.

Take Coconut Oil

In addition to using sunscreen, another tip to protect your skin is to take coconut oil as a supplement. Coconut oil contains antioxidants that help protect skin cells from cancer-causing UV rays, and also can help reduce the aging effects of the sun. It’s important to remember that the more you expose your skin to the sun, the more damage occurs. Keep in mind that coconut oil can cause breakouts and increased burning if you apply it to your skin, so make sure to ingest it in oil or pill form.

Avoid Tanning Beds

Many people look to tanning beds as an alternative to the sun; however, tanning beds are actually quite harmful. Not only do they cause premature aging and a drastically higher risk of skin cancer, but they are also known to be the worst way to get a tan. While you may not notice any immediate damage, tanning beds are known to cause long-term damage to your skin cells. Finally, tanning can make your incisions more visible by changing the pigmentation of the nearby skin.

Wear Protective Clothing

If you absolutely must spend time in the sun, make sure to wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Be sure to wear a shirt with a collar and a high neckline. Select sunglasses that block 100 percent of incoming UV rays. Wearing sun-protective clothing will help prevent premature aging of your skin, as well as sun damage.

Use Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect and repair your skin from any damage from the sun. Although it is easy to get it by eating foods that are high in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, and bell peppers, there are other ways to use this antioxidant. It can actually be found in many over-the-counter products, including serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen. Be sure to apply a small amount of the serum right after you have showered on a daily basis. It can make your skin more photosensitive, however, so use it at night or wear sunscreen.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re looking for more tips on protecting your skin after a plastic surgery procedure, our team can help. Contact our Garden City office by calling or filling out our online form.