Skincare for sun damaged skin

What does sun damage look like?

Long term sun damage can show up as freckles, age spots, wrinkles, sagging and uneven pigmentation. UV radiation damages skin cells and breaks down collagen, the protein that gives skin structure and support. Repeated exposure can also cause precancerous growths and skin cancer. Cosmetic changes and suspicious growths need different kinds of attention: a wrinkle treatment is not a substitute for a skin examination. This guide focuses on accumulated damage; newly burned, painful or blistered skin needs care for a burn instead.123

How to protect your skin each morning

1. 1Apply broad spectrum sunscreen every day. Broad spectrum protection covers both UVA and UVB rays. Choose at least SPF 15 for general sun protection; after fractional laser treatment, use SPF 50 or higher as directed during healing and for several months afterwards.
2. 2Plan protection beyond the bottle. Use shade, protective clothing and a wide brimmed hat. Wear sunglasses that filter UV rays.
3. 3Limit exposure during the strongest sunlight. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and limit exposure through 4 p.m.
4. 4Maintain protection outdoors. Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes, and more often after swimming or sweating.
5. 5Avoid tanning beds and deliberate tanning. A tan appears after UV rays have already damaged skin cells.

Sun protection matters for every skin tone, not just skin that burns easily. UV damage can happen in any season and at any temperature, so cold weather does not remove the need for protection. People who have already had skin cancer can reduce their risk of another skin cancer by protecting their skin from the sun.45

What belongs in your evening routine?

Remove makeup with a cleanser at the end of the day. Use moisturizer for hydration and texture, particularly as ageing skin becomes less able to retain moisture. Moisturizer can improve hydration and texture, which is a more useful assignment than asking a cream to rewrite your outdoor history.2

If visible wrinkles are your main concern, creams containing retinoids are a treatment option. Retinoids are vitamin A related skincare ingredients used in wrinkle treatment. They can support collagen production, while other skincare products can improve hydration and texture. There is no single retinoid strength or application schedule for every product: follow the directions for the exact product rather than treating all wrinkle creams as interchangeable. Before starting wrinkle treatment, discuss your current skincare, medicines and supplements with your clinician to check for interactions.2

Some medicines increase the chance of sunburn, including retinoids, certain antibiotics, anti inflammatory pain medicines and some heart medicines. If you take one of these, pay particular attention to sun exposure and protection. Do not stop a prescription to change your skincare routine; discuss the treatment choices with your prescriber.3

What can improve, and how long does it take?

Treatment can even out skin tone and make wrinkles less noticeable. Preventing further exposure and improving visible damage are separate jobs: sun protection reduces future risk, while skincare or procedures address appearance. Wrinkles are also a normal part of ageing and do not need treatment unless you want to change how they look. No treatment entirely prevents wrinkles from forming. The useful timeline depends on the treatment; fractional laser results, for example, develop gradually rather than immediately.125

When should you consider a dermatologist's treatment?

Fractional lasers treat small zones of skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact to help healing. The treatment targets surface pigment and deeper collagen. Techniques differ by skin type and treatment area. Darker skin tones and a history of melasma or pigmentation after inflammation need particular consideration because treatment can trigger further darkening. More aggressive lasers that remove tissue require longer recovery than devices that do not remove it.6

A Fraxel course can involve four to five treatments, spaced one month apart, with optimal improvement over three to four months. Recovery can include swelling, pinkness, a bronze appearance and flaking. Other risks include infection and contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin reaction. Ask about the recovery plan before booking, including moisturizer, sunscreen and whether your history of cold sores requires preventive treatment.6

What if your skin is sunburned now?

Cover burned skin while it heals. Cool damp cloths, a cool shower and hydrating products such as aloe vera gel can help. Once the skin has cooled and ongoing damage has stopped, petroleum jelly can help keep it moisturized. Leave blisters alone and let peeling skin come away naturally. Mild burns usually heal within a few days to a week; deeper burns with blisters can take weeks. Healing the burn does not erase the permanent damage to skin cell DNA.3

Which changes need medical attention?

Check your skin regularly for suspicious growths and changes in the size, shape, colour or feel of moles and spots. Arrange a medical assessment for these changes, a sore that does not heal, or a persistent rough, scaly patch. Rough patches can be actinic keratoses, which are precancerous growths. Early detection and treatment matter; do not treat an unexplained patch as just another cosmetic mark.1347

Seek immediate medical treatment for sunburn with severe swelling, extreme pain, chills, a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius, or signs of dehydration such as dizziness and reduced urination. Blisters covering more than 20% of your body also need immediate treatment. Arrange a dermatologist's annual skin cancer check, particularly when reviewing accumulated sun damage.3