Learn to Face Your Fair Skin

Light and fair skin is usually the first to show the signs of aging, which can happen as early as the mid to late 20s. Because the skin is inherently thinner and contains less melanin, it’s more susceptible to sun-related aging.

Common characteristics of fair skin:

• Burns easily
• Shows the signs of aging relatively early
• Wrinkles tend to be more on the surface as opposed to deeper creases
• Can be sensitive
• Blemishes, rashes and injury are very apparent
• Enlarged pores

If you have dry skin:
Dryness in lighter skin can occur from a multitude of factors. While the sun is partially to blame, the weather, lifestyle choices and even skin-care products can bring about dryness. When the outer layer of skin is void of water, the skin can’t protect itself as well, and dead skin cells make their way to the surface, giving way to flakiness.

Dry skin can be alleviated with the right moisturizer. Retin-a will also help to regulate the pace at which the surface cells turn over, to eliminate the amount of dryness.

If you have fine lines:
The lighter the skin, the less melanin there is, which increases the amount of UV light that’s absorbed, breaking down collagen.

When it comes to treating fine lines, especially around the eyes and in between the eyebrows, Botox and Dysport are the go-to solutions. Both relax the muscles that cause lines to appear, in turn smoothing out the skin. “If the lines are coupled by changes in the texture of the skin, like crepiness, then we need to remodel and rebuild the collagen with something like IPL or laser resurfacing,” explains Washington, DC, dermatologist Jennifer L. MacGregor, MD.

If you have age spots and freckles:
 “Brown spots and freckles are directly related to sun exposure from the past, which shows up years later,” says Dr. MacGregor. Since the skin can’t naturally defend itself against the sun, Dr. MacGregor says it attempts to protect itself by producing melanin, causing freckles and pigmentation.

Topical retinoids used in tandem with brightening creams can help to lighten discoloration, but, sometimes, something more intense needs to be used, especially if the spots are large and dark. “We can treat those with IPL or lasers, which use energy and light to break up pigment,” says Dr. MacGregor.