Dr Lalitha Badul

The type of treatment depends on the form of sun damage:

• Dry skin – Try using a moisturiser that contains at least one of the following ingredients: glycerin, urea, pyroglutamic acid, sorbitol, lactic acid, lactate salts or alpha-hydroxy acids. Avoid using alpha-hydroxy acids or other acids on any sunburned skin. Avoid hot baths or hot showers, because these can make your sun-damaged skin even drier. Wash only with warm or cool water, using unscented soap that either has a high fat content or contains glycerin.
• Sunburn – For painful sunburn, try applying cool compresses (such as a cool, wet cloth) to your injured skin, or mist the area with sprays of cool water.

ALSO READ: Doctor’s advice: How to prevent sun damaged skin

• Actinic keratosis – The type of treatment that will work best for you depends on many factors, including the number, size and location of your actinic keratoses.

ALSO READ: Doctor’s advice: What is sun damaged skin?

Options include:
• Topical creams and gels, cryotherapy, chemical peels, laser resurfacing, shave excision, photodynamic treatment (PDT).

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