Beauty Information

Women know that they should protect their skin from sun damage. They slather on sunscreen or, at the very least, a facial moisturizer with SPF protection daily. But how many think about repairing the damage that is already done?

Most people associate UV rays with summers at the beach, but UV rays are ubiquitous. Any exposure to natural light, whether from playing beach volleyball, walking to a parked car, sitting near an office window or staging a snowball fight, can damage skin. For example, after a tan fades, people might notice dark spots, uneven skin tone, blotchiness or wrinkles. And that's all just surface damage -- UV rays penetrate deep into the skin, creating damage that won't be visible for years.

"Under the surface there is invisible damage that can and will manifest into what is seen on the upper layer of the dermis," says Dr. Adam Geyer, Kiehl's Since 1851 consulting dermatologist, and instructor in clinical dermatology at Columbia University in New York City.

Even if women are diligent about using sunscreen all year long, their skin will still suffer some photodamage. Luckily, women can repair, as well as prevent, damage. Some women resort to expensive procedures, like chemical peels and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments, which use lasers, to lessen visible skin damage.

But women can also repair visible and invisible UV damage at home. Kiehl's Since 1851, a company that has specialized in skin care since 1851, has recently introduced its Photo-Age Corrector High-Potency Spot Treatment. The treatment targets the melanin that causes discoloration by decreasing melanin production and helping to prevent existing melanin from rising to the surface. This decreases the appearance of blotches and dark spots for brighter, more translucent skin. At the same time, antioxidants help prevent damage from free radicals.

When used with its supporting cleanser, toner and moisturizer, the High-Potency Spot Treatment provides immediate luminosity, reduces dark spots and evens skin tone in as little as four weeks while also inhibiting invisible damage from rising to the surface. The clinically proven treatment is appropriate for all skin types and ethnicities.