Any ex-sun-lovers out there?? Help with skin repair!

Hi all!

I have been a tanning bed/sun lover on and off for about 7 years.  I am starting to see the damage that's been caused, and the effects that could be permanent if I don't do something about it!

My pores are huge, I have scarring and dark spots, discoloration, etc.  I look at my twin sister's beautiful skin (she doesn't wear makeup, or spend any time in the sun led alone a tanning bed), and wish I could have it back.

Any tips?  Have you used anything that's worked in evening out skin tone?  Minimizing pores?  I'm open to store bought and home remedies! 

Repairing the damage done to your skin will probably take a nice chunk of time. Moisture, obviously, is going to help you a lot. Aloe vera is great for skin, as is Vitamin E. Cocoa butter is supposed to be soothing, and it you can ever splurge on facials, go for it. Not only will it be really beneficial for your skin, but drill your esthetician for as much advice as you can get.

I don't know from experience, but I think that as long as you take precautions from now on (sunscreen, moisture, etc.) you should notice a big difference. Good luck!

Maybe see your primary doctor as well...just to make sure those discolorations, etc. won't become an issue down the road.  I had a small pink colored dot on the side of my face for awhile and it eventually got bigger and broke through the skin.  I had to have it cut out of my face (it wouldnt heal).   I don't mean for any of this to scare you cause what I had wasn't really dangerous.  My doctor said it was kinda common and people tend to get it on the side of the face that faces the driver side window, and that they won't heal(just get bigger over time).

My point is if I had done  something when it was small and pink I would have had more options to deal with it besides getting a hunk of meat cut out of my face.  I have a whole new outlook on sun exposure.

I agree with Luna...take precautions.  Stay covered and get checked.  Have a good day.

I get melasma (a discoloration/darkening of patches the skin) which is caused by the sun.  There are some skin lighteners you can use, one I have tried is Neostata HQ, but you have to use it every day for 8 weeks to see any results.  Honestly, I think I see better results using Aveeno 'positively radiant' products.  They have a daily moisturizer with spf 15 which I love, and I also use their spf 55 on my face in the spring/summer. 

one dermatologist told me to get mine taken care of in the winter, when I wouldn't be exposed to so much sun.

I used to live in Florida and have dark spots on my cheekbones, but so far aren't as bad as some I've seen.  I was wondering about laser treatments.

Now I keep face sunscreen, in my office, car and purse and wear a visor or cap even going to and from the car.

of course you know the best treatment is to stay out of the sun/sunbeds and use high factor sunscreen.

First off you need to see a dermatoligist to find out how exstensive the damage is.

Professional treatments:

Microdermabrasion

Chemical peels

laser resurfacing

collagen and fat injections

Non prescription:

retinol

copper/copper peptides

AHAs (alpha hydroxin acids) found in fruit, milk sugar cane

vitamin C&E

Soy

prescription:

tretinoin

hydroquinones

Yes, I have taken the initial step of not hitting the tanning bed or lounging in the sun ;)

The discolorations aren't horrible, but I think my skin takes longer to recover from breakouts, and as I said - my pores look bigger, and the tone of my skin seems to be uneven/slightly blotchy.

So, I was wondering about skin creams, cleansers, or other methods any of you had used to smooth things out! 

I so appreciate the advice/help!

the ones i listed some if them are creams etc which can be bought over the counter and although not as great as getting it done at a salon because of the products they can get they do still work.

eg. L'oreal Refinish Micro- Dermabrassion Resurfacing Exfoliation used once a week you need to remove the damaged layers for the skin to repair. This product also comes with an intense moisturiser.

Face mask(home made) buy a non scented moisturising cream liquidize pineapple add it to the cream apply to the face and leave for 20 mins the free rads in the pineapple will eat the dead skin, (sounds worse than it is lol)

Apply a good quality night cream.

Also buy a day cream which contains pentapeptides, Oil  of Olay have a very good range of products which do work for dark spots etc.

I used to work at Sephora so I know of some really fantastic products. My mom has the same problem with large pores around her cheek bones and nose. To minimize the appearance of pores try Dr. Brandt pore minimizer lotion(pores no more), and for discoloration try r3p cream, made from peptides its meant to fight photo-aging and uv damage. You get try it out for free and get a free sample at sephora (and if it doesn't work every product in there is %100 refundable even if it's been used and opened). Make sure that you have nothing on your face before you try it on or it won't work quite as well.

Dr. Brandt also has a microdermabraison which you can use once a week to resurface fresh skin and get rid of dead skin cells.

Philosophy has a really great night cream moisturizer (Hope in a jar) that you can add retinol capsules, as well as a vitamin c powder to and wear overnight. The retinol will reduce fine lines and the vitamin c-powder will lighten, and tighten you skin. However I believe that this mositurizer contains lactic acid, so if you are lactose intolerant then you might have a reaction too it. (I break out in hives when I use products with lactic acid, but it works well for everyone else).

For skin discoloration Shesheido has a brightening serum, you can also check out Caudalie's Brightening serum, made from grape seed extract, this is a natural product andworks well from what others have told me.

Keep in mind, if some of the products don't work out then you can get your money back no problem, although for some products you will have to use for 2-3 weeks before you begin to notice significant changes.

Good luck!