After growing up in Florida, at 25, what is the best way to deal with sun damage?

Dr. Irwin
April 6, 2010
Dr. Irwin, Your blog is fantastic, what a refreshing thing it is to find a blog that is so unbiased and full of in-depth information! I am 25 years old and had a lot of beach time and therefore sun exposure growing up in Florida. I was wondering if due to this high amount of sun I should use a skin care regimen made for more mature skin. I have clear skin that is a little dry with a small amount of hyperpigmentation. I just really would like to prevent all the damage I might have caused as much as possible. Besides a cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer, should I also use retinol and TNS recovery complex? And what should I do about exfoliation? Thank you for your all the great advice on your blog! Warm regards, Andreea

Andrea – Thank you for the compliment!  Growing up in Florida IS high risk for skin cancer and wrinkles.   Since you already know that you have more sun damage than average for your age, I’d recommend going to the prescription strength tretinoin 0.025% (Retin A) or you might like Renova (tretinoin 0.02%) better because it’s in a more moisturizing base.

  I’d recommend for morning a gentle cleanser, a good antioxidant like SkinCeuticals C & E Ferrulic (as long as not irritating) with sunscreen (5-10 zinc at least) over that.  The antioxidant will potentiate the sunscreen.  At night, wash, moisturize, wait 10 minutes and then your Renova.  Lots of hats with wide brims if you can! Exfoliate GENTLY once a week.  The tretinoin helps to exfoliate already.

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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