Too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing. That old saying is especially true when it comes to sun exposure. According to Dr. Jennifer Holman of U.S. Dermatology Partners Tyler, “With spring and summer around the corner, many of my patients are planning to spend more time outdoors. It’s important to enjoy this time safely because sun damage is one of the leading causes of skin cancer, and it contributes to accelerated skin aging and other skin health concerns. Whether you’re looking to prevent skin damage from sun exposure or reverse existing sun damage, it’s time to talk to your dermatologist.” In this blog, Dr. Holman discusses how to prevent sun damage and recommends dermatologic treatments to reverse signs of skin aging related to sun damage.
What Causes Sun Damage?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun damages skin cells, connective and supportive tissues, and DNA. The sun causes damage through multiple forms of UV rays, including the two most common UVA and UVB radiation. Each plays a unique role, which is explored below:
UVA Rays: Aging Rays
The UVA rays penetrate deep into skin’s supportive layers. They’re responsible for damage that leads to premature skin aging, including damaging collagen and elastin, causing wrinkles, increasing skin laxity, and producing uneven skin pigmentation. UVA rays can be especially dangerous because they can make contact to skin through clouds or glass. They are also present in both warm and cooler seasons, so they contribute to photodamage year-round.
UVB Rays: Burning Rays
UVB rays are responsible for surface-level sun damage that most people are familiar with. They are the type of UV radiation that leads to sunburns and suntans. In addition to burns, UVB rays can also damage skin’s cellular DNA, which increases risk for skin cancers.
Both UVA & UVB Rays
According to Dr. Holman, “Both UVA and UVB rays contribute to cumulative skin damage that adds up slowly on your daily dog walk or drive to work. Just because you don’t have skin that burns or tans immediately, that doesn’t mean you aren’t experiencing sun damage. Some patients may be surprised to suddenly see hyperpigmentation, premature aging, or other forms of sun damage that seem to appear out of nowhere. In reality, they were slowly developing for years. That’s why it’s important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both forms of sun damage.”
Signs of Sun Damage on Skin
Most people think they know how the sun affects skin, but there are actually numerous warning signs of sun damage, including:
- Hyperpigmentation – one of the most common and noticeable forms of sun damage. It may appear as a suntan or sunburn caused by the overproduction of melanin triggered by UV rays, or it may present as uneven skin tone or age spots. This is most common in areas that experience frequent sun exposure like the face and hands.
- Fine lines and wrinkles – premature signs of skin aging are common effects of sun damage. Collagen and elastin proteins are weakened and damaged, and production of new, healthy proteins is slowed due to sun damage. This leads to wrinkles and generally less taught skin.
- Uneven skin texture – skin may thicken, dry out, or generally be irregular in appearance and texture. Some people notice rough, leathery skin while others notice dull or flaky texture. This happens because sun damage disrupts skin cell turnover.
Skincare Ingredients That Help Reverse Sun Damage
When it comes to preventing and treating sun damage, Dr. Holman says, “Daily skincare is the first line of defense from sun damage and it offers minimally invasive options for sunspot treatment and supports other types of skin damage caused by the sun. Sunscreen is important, but there are skincare ingredients that also contribute to preventing and repairing sun damage.” Some of the top dermatologist-recommended skincare ingredients to address sun damage include:
- Retinols and retinoids – these ingredients are derived from vitamin A, and they support healthy skin cell turnover as well as stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. This both prevents and reverses sign of sun damage.
- Antioxidants – vitamin C and other antioxidants work to brighten skin by preventing free radical damage caused by UV exposure. They support collagen production and reduce pigmentation, brightening and smoothing skin.
- Hydration and barrier-support – hydrating skincare ingredients add moisture to skin and repair weakened or damaged skin barrier that leads to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Common hydration and barrier support ingredients include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides.
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen – the most important aspect of skincare to prevent sun damage is daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB rays, preventing multiple forms of sun damage.
Dermatology Treatments for Sun Damage
Dermatology sun damage treatment solutions can be customized to address specific symptoms or generally improve skin’s health and appearance. Skincare prevents and reverses minor sun damage, but for deeper photodamage and more advanced concerns, dermatologic treatments may be recommended, including:
- Light and laser treatments – light and laser treatments for sun damage are some of the most effective solutions for addressing moderate to advanced concerns. These procedures can be customized to target specific pigment, penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen production, or dissolve away outer layers of skin.
- Broadband light (BBL) photofacials – these treatments use pulses of light energy to target hyperpigmented areas and vascular discoloration. They improve the appearance of skin redness, sunspots, and generally uneven skin tone.
- Clear + Brilliant Laser – this gentler laser treatment option is ideal for address early or minor signs of sun damage to improve skin tone and texture.
- Fraxel and ResurFX lasers – these are two fractional laser therapies that may be recommended to reduce pigmentation, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and tighten skin.
- CO₂ & Erbium laser resurfacing – these ablative lasers are beneficial for more advanced sun damage to improve deeper wrinkles, rough skin texture, and advanced pigmentation concerns.
- Spectra Laser Peel – this gentle laser treatment is designed to target pigmentation irregularities and brighten skin.
- MOXI Laser – this versatile laser treatment can be used for both prevention and rejuvenation to address early signs of sun damage and reverse premature skin aging.
Chemical & Physical Exfoliation Treatments
To address skin aging and photodamage, skin treatment options that include exfoliation may be recommended. These procedures work by removing the outer layers of skin and revealing healthier skin below. Some of the most commonly recommended options include:
- Chemical peels – these professional exfoliation procedures use chemicals to dissolve away dead and damaged skin cells. They are beneficial to fade sunspots and improve skin tone and texture.
- Microdermabrasion – instead of chemicals, these procedures use a high frequency spray of fine crystal to exfoliate skin, leading to smoother texture. This treatment also improves the absorption of skincare products.
- Dermaplaning – this treatment uses a blade to remove dead skin cells and facial hair to smooth skin and brighten complexion.
Collagen-Stimulating Treatments
Collagen-stimulating sun damage treatment focuses on triggering the body’s natural repair processes to improve skin’s health and appearance. Some of the most recommended collagen-stimulating treatments include:
- Microneedling – SkinPen and Vivace RF are two of the most popular options. They create microscopic injuries that trigger the healing response and increase collagen production to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and smooth skin texture.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) & PRF Treatments – these procedures use the body’s own platelets to promote skin rejuvenation by accelerating tissue repair and enhancing collagen production. These treatments can be combined with microneedling to achieve even more dramatic results.
How to Prevent Sun Damage
Dr. Holman says, “Today, there are many affective ways to treat sun damage, but it’s always best to prevent damage before it begins. Some simple habits can significantly reduce sun damage and support the maintenance of dermatologic treatment results.” Some of the best ways to prevent sun damage include:
- Apply and reapply broad-spectrum sunscreen – daily sunscreen application protects against UVA and UVB rays and dramatically reduces risk for the long-term effects of sun damage. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours during extended outdoor activities is essential to maintain efficacy.
- Wear protective clothing – hats, sunglasses, and UV protective clothing all protect against unnecessary sun exposure.
- Avoid exposure during peak UV hours – between 10 am and 4 pm the sun’s rays are the strongest, so being outdoors during these times should be minimized.
- Consistent skincare routine – use a consistent skincare routine that includes antioxidants, retinoids, moisturizers, and sunscreen. This supports generally healthy skin and prevents the most common adverse effects of sun damage.
When to See a Dermatologist
Sun damage doesn’t always require intervention by a dermatologist, but there are situations where visiting a dermatologist is important, including:
- Uneven skin tone or texture that’s not responsive to treatment.
- Premature signs of aging.
- Warning signs of skin cancer. (e.g., changing moles, irregular borders, multiple colors, bleeding or non-healing lesions)
Dermatologists can partner with you to develop a skincare plan to prevent and reverse sun damage as well as provide diagnosis and treatment planning for skin health concerns.
Combine Prevention & Treatment for Healthier Skin
In conclusion, Dr. Holman says, “Sun damage develops day by day. The best way to keep skin healthy and beautiful is to combine prevention with steps to reverse sun damage. That means applying and reapplying sunscreen daily and partnering with your dermatologist to improve the appearance of skin damaged by the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.”
Schedule a Cosmetic Dermatology Consultation Today
Schedule a cosmetic dermatology consultation today to learn more about reversing sun damage and maintaining healthier skin. It takes just a few moments to complete U.S. Dermatology Partners’ online scheduling request form. Once our local dermatology team hears from you, they’ll be in touch to finalize the details of your upcoming visit.
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