What Is Sun Damaged Skin? How To Deal With It?

A guide to eliminating the signs of sun damage with effective skin care ingredients.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Priya Gill, MBBCH, MRCP

Dr. Priya Gill is a consultant dermatologist in Klang, Malaysia, with over 16 years of experience. She specializes in the management of all medical and surgical dermatology issues and has a special interest in laser therapy and phototherapy... more

Written by Eshna Das, BA, MSc Experience: 3 years

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, ... more

Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech Experience: 7 years

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more

Fact-checked by Swathi E, MA (English Literature) Experience: 3 years

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She... more

• Nov 22, 2023

Image: Shutterstock

There is an inexplicable joy in being outdoors on a nice sunny day! Lying on the beach, soaking up the sun, sipping on an ice-cold drink, feels just perfect. But, all that sun exposure may be harmful to your skin as you age and may cause a phenomenon called sun-damaged skin. What exactly is it? Is there a way to prevent it? Keep reading this article and you will find out.

In This Article

What Is Sun-damaged Skin?

Sun-damaged skin or photoaging is caused due to prolonged exposure of your skin to the harmful UV radiation emitted by the sun. Areas of your body such as the face, arms, legs, and neck are most likely to be affected as they are exposed the most (1).

In most cases, 90% of photoaging is due to UV exposure. However, some studies suggest, UV exposure combined with visible light (VL) emitted from LED devices and other electronic devices might also contribute to photoaging (2).

So, how do you find out if your skin is sun-damaged? Are there any symptoms to look out for? Read the next section to know.

Symptoms Of Sun-damaged Skin

Skin freckles are a symptom of sun damage

Image: Shutterstock

Unlike the chronological aging of your skin that is caused by old age and genetic conditions, photoaging is caused by the severity of UV exposure. Some of the most common symptoms of sun-damaged skin are (1):

Wrinkling of skin
Pigmentation of the skin that causes sunspots and liver spots to appear
Freckling of skin
Dryness and roughness of the skin
Loss of skin elasticity

If you notice any of these symptoms, there is a probability that your skin is sun-damaged. Carole Rosner, a blogger, shares how she noticed a freckle on her lip at the end of the day that was not there in the morning. She recalled that she didn’t apply SPF, and it was due to sun damage. She notes, “And hopefully, in time, I’ll come to acknowledge that this new mark is maybe a blessing in disguise because I will NEVER leave the house un-SPF’d ever again (i).”

But who is more prone to sunburn or sun-damaged skin? Find out in the next section.

Who Is Prone To Photoaging?

Fair-skinned people are more prone to photoaging

Image: Shutterstock

Research suggests that anyone who is exposed to the sun is prone to photoaging (3). However, a study aimed at exploring if any particular demographic is more prone to sun damage found something interesting. It revealed that people with fair skin, especially fair-skinned men are more likely to experience severe photoaging of the skin (4).

Quick Tip

AHAs (like lactic acid and glycolic acid) and vitamin A derivatives (like retinol) can increase sun sensitivity. Therefore, only use them at night.

Having said that, if your skin is sun-damaged, what can you do to reverse it? Or is it even reversible? Let’s find out.

How To Reverse Sun Damaged Skin

Woman applying vitamin C product to reverse sun damage

Image: Shutterstock

When UV rays damage the skin, they can alter your DNA and cause melanoma (a type of skin cancer) which is irreversible (5). Reversing UV damage on the skin is not easy, it requires a lot of time, patience, and use of specific skincare products. It might or might not work for most people. Here are a few products that you can try and use to reverse sun-damaged skin.

Niacinamide

Research suggests that topical application of niacinamide may help in reversing the effects of sun damage on the skin. It may help remove fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by photoaging (6). Niacin, a type of niacinamide, is readily available as an ingredient in certain serums and creams that can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine.

Azelaic Acid

Though azelaic acid is commonly used to treat acne, some research suggests that it may also help reverse photoaging of the skin (7). Studies on mice suggest that azelaic acid in concentrated form might be able to inhibit melanoma cells and reduce pigmentation caused by them (8).

Vitamin C

Studies suggest that the topical application of vitamin C-based skincare products might be able to reduce and prevent your skin from photoaging. Vitamin C is also known for its photoprotective, antioxidative, and anti-aging properties. It can also help improve collagen production and make your skin look younger (9).

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Research indicates that AHAs might help increase the thickness of your epidermis and make it less susceptible to photoaging and potentially reverse its effects (10). Using sunscreens and creams that contain AHAs or glycolic acid can be added to your skincare routine to help reverse the effects of photoaging.

Retinoids

Skincare products that contain retinoids may help reverse photoaging of the skin. Research suggests that they may be able to reduce pigmentation that causes dark spots and age spots. Among the various retinoids, tretinoin is considered to be most potent in reversing the symptoms of photoaging (11).

Reversing sun-damaged skin must be your last resort, preventing sun damage or photoaging should be your primary focus. After all, prevention is better than cure and is cost-effective as well. Let us find out how you can prevent your skin from being sun-damaged.

How To Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage

Woman applying sunscreen to avoid sun damage

Image: Shutterstock

Protecting your skin from sun damage is easy. Follow these simple tips and you should be good to go.

1. Using sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather outside is crucial in protecting your skin from sun damage (12). Apply it 15-30 minutes before you head outside.

2. Choose a sunscreen that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays and is at least SPF-30.

3. If you have an infant at home, it’s best to keep them away from harsh sunlight as they have very sensitive skin.

4. Try and reduce the amount of time you spend out in the sun. If possible, avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, as UV radiations are the most intense during this time.

5. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers minimizes the amount of skin exposure to the sun. Also wearing dark-colored clothes may help in blocking the harmful rays of the sun. Research suggests that colors like navy blue, black, and dark red absorb more UV rays and offer better protection (13). If possible try and use UV protective clothes for better effect.

6. For the head and neck areas, you could use scarves, or hats to block the sunlight. You could also use photochromic sunglasses or ones with UV protective lenses.

Try these simple tips and you might be safe from the harmful UV rays that damage your skin. However, following these tips every time may not be feasible for all. Certain professions that require you to be out in the sun for long hours, inevitably increase the risk of sun-damaged skin.

Quick Tip

If you have sun-damaged skin, always make sure that the sunscreen you are using is safe for sensitive skin to avoid irritating it.

In the next section, let us find out when you require medical assistance for sun-damaged skin.

When To See A Doctor

Woman with sailor's lip should consult a doctor

Image: Shutterstock

Minor symptoms of photoaging like dryness of skin, fine lines, and wrinkles would not require medical assistance. However, in some of the following cases, you will need to see a doctor or a dermatologist.

Actinic Keratosis

This is a common skin condition that is caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays, which may develop into squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) and other skin issues. These appear as rough, scaly, and bumpy patches near your arms, hands, ears, and neck (14). The treatment for this condition will vary from person to person.

Actinic Cheilitis

Similar to actinic keratosis, this skin condition is also caused by exposure to UV rays. It is also known as “sailor’s lip” and commonly occurs on the lower lip. This is considered to be a high-risk form of skin cancer and should be diagnosed at the earliest to manage and treat it better (15).

Poikiloderma Of Civatte

This is another skin condition that is caused by prolonged UV exposure that causes lesions to appear on the skin around the neck area. The affected area feels itchy and may also cause a burning sensation (16). This condition can be treated with a pulse dye laser.

In conclusion, sun-damaged skin or photoaging is caused due to prolonged exposure to UV rays. As a result of photoaging, the appearance of sunspots on the skin, along with freckles, fine lines is common. Sun-damaged skin is unavoidable and inevitable as anyone who is exposed to sunlight is prone to photoaging of the skin. However, you can reduce the signs of photoaging by applying sunscreen, wearing long-sleeved clothes, and avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Excessive sun exposure may cause skin issues like actinic keratosis and actinic cheilitis which might further develop into skin cancer. It is essential to get yourself examined by a doctor or dermatologist in the event of such skin conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for skin to heal from sun damage?

Mild sun damage can last for 3-5 days. Severe sun damage can last for longer than a week, and it must be medically treated.

Will a chemical peel remove sun damage?

Yes. A chemical peel can help in treating sun damaged skin by gently removing the outer damaged layer of skin to reveal the smoother, new skin underneath.

Is apple cider vinegar good for sun damaged skin?

No. ACV has many anti-inflammatory properties and is an amazing exfoliator, but it can cause chemical burns when not used properly. Moreover, good exfoliators have to irritate the skin to an extent to help remove dead skin cells. Sun damaged skin is delicate and can do without the mistreatment. ACV can potentially make the process worse and more painful.

Key Takeaways

Excess sun exposure and lack of proper sun protection may lead to signs of sun-damaged skin like wrinkles, freckles, hyperpigmentation, or loss of skin elasticity.
The face, arms, neck, and legs are commonly affected by photoaging.
Niacinamide, azelaic acid, vitamin C, and retinoids based skin care products can help reduce the effects of sun damage, but it needs some time and constant effort before you can see any visible changes.
Keeping your skin protected from the harmful UV rays with appropriate sunscreen and clothing can help prevent further sun damage.

Unlock the secrets to repairing sun-damaged skin and reversing the signs of aging in this insightful video. Check it out to explore effective strategies and skincare tips to restore youthfulness and achieve a radiant complexion.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. The Freckle
https://medium.com/heart-soul-pen/the-freckle-896879f0f2b7

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.