Sun spots are one of those aesthetic consequences of summer that, no matter how careful we are, seem inevitable. However, there is a "secret" that aesthetic medicine experts have been repeating for years: prevention is the only really effective weapon against them. According to diezminutos.es, Dr. Leo Cerrud, an aesthetic physician and nutritionist, has revealed in his beauty practice the keys to avoiding—and, if possible, eliminating—those dark spots that keep us up at night when vacation arrives.

Two types of spots, two different origins

The first thing to understand is that not all sun spots are the same. Dr. Cerrud differentiates between two main types. Solar lentigines are those dark, well-defined freckles that appear over the years as a result of accumulated sun damage; basically, the "memory" that our skin keeps of the sun exposure received over time. In contrast, melasma is a more diffuse hyperpigmentation that usually concentrates on the forehead, cheekbones and upper lip. The latter has a fundamentally hormonal origin, although the sun acts as a powerful trigger that darkens it instantly.

Prevention as the only real guarantee

The good news is that they can be prevented. The bad news is that it requires extreme discipline. According to the expert, the absolute key lies in prevention, and the first step is non-negotiable: use broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen every day, without exception. Whether you're at the beach, in the mountains or simply going to work at the office, the rays reach you in every outing, in every entry and in that drink you have on the terrace in mid-afternoon.

But here comes the important part: applying it just once in the morning is not enough. To be truly effective, you have to reapply it every two hours if you are going to be directly exposed to the sun, because sunscreen filters lose effectiveness over time, sweat and swimming. Additionally, modern sunscreens now incorporate anti-aging, depigmenting and hydrating actives that improve your overall skincare routine.

Boost protection with vitamin C

Dr. Cerrud recommends accompanying the sunscreen with an antioxidant serum with vitamin C each morning, applied just before the sunscreen. The reason is clear: vitamin C neutralizes free radicals generated by radiation, provides natural radiance and also enhances the action of the sunscreen, multiplying its effectiveness.

Other defences you shouldn't forget

In addition to cosmetics, there are physical measures equally important:

• Hats or wide-brimmed hats: your best allies to stop the direct impact of rays on your face.
• Sunglasses: they protect not only your eyes, but also the delicate eye area.
• Avoid the sun between 12:00 and 16:00: this is when radiation is most aggressive.

A fundamental detail for summer: pause powerful depigmenting treatments, such as strong acids or retinol, because they sensitize the skin and make it more vulnerable to spots. It's better to save them for autumn.

What if spots have already appeared?

If they still manage to appear during vacation, the expert's advice is clear: forget about them until you return. The perfect time to treat them in the clinic is when you get back, when there is no longer constant sun exposure. Although cosmetics cannot eliminate them completely, aesthetic medicine procedures—which is where Cerrud really works—can improve them greatly and even make some disappear completely.

The conclusion is as simple as it is difficult to follow: prevention is the only real guarantee against sun spots. It's not glamorous, but it's what works.