What is sun-damaged skin?

Author: Prof. Trace Watsica DVM  |  Last update: Friday, January 9, 2026

When the sun prematurely—and sometimes dangerously—ages the skin. •Symptoms include wrinkling, loss of skin elasticity, pigmentation, sun spots, redness (telangiectasias) •Treatments include lasers, chemical peels, and topical medications.

What does sun damaged skin look like?

Red, rough scaly spots (called actinic keratosis) on your skin. Lip lesions (called actinic cheilitis). Pigment changes, such as colored spots or patches (melasma), freckles, liver spots (solar lentigines) and age spots. White spots on your arms, legs and back of your hands (called idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis).

How do you repair sun damaged skin?

Sometimes advanced signs of aging and sun damage require more invasive dermatology procedures, such as:
  1. Botulinum toxin type A. ...
  2. Chemical peels. ...
  3. Soft tissue augmentation or dermal filler injections. ...
  4. Dermabrasion. ...
  5. Laser skin resurfacing. ...
  6. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. ...
  7. Tretinoin treatment.

How long does sun damaged skin take to heal?

The two most common types of sunburn are: First-degree sunburn: Damage to your skin's outer layer. This usually heals on its own in a few days to a week.

How do I know if my skin is permanently damaged?

Signs of Skin Barrier Damage

Damage can lead to moisture loss, resulting in skin that appears dry, flaky, and sometimes peels, revealing an inability to retain water. Itchy and Irritated Skin: Damaged moisture barrier symptoms can cause the skin to become unusually itchy and irritated.

Doctor explains Actinic Solar Keratosis | Sun damaged skin - causes, symptoms and treatment

Can damaged skin repair itself?

The ability of the skin to heal even after considerable damage has occurred is due to the presence of stem cells in the dermis and cells in the stratum basale of the epidermis, all of which can generate new tissue.

What is the best cream for sun damaged skin?

Retinoids are known as the gold standard treatment option for repairing sun damage. They work by increasing cell turnover, which helps turnover damaged skin cells and stimulate the growth of new ones. Read more about tretinoin. Read more about adapalene.

How to repair damaged skin naturally?

5 ways to repair damaged skin barrier
  1. Moisturise regularly: When your skin barrier is compromised, it makes the skin ultra-sensitive. ...
  2. Use gentle cleansers: Harsh cleansers can strip away natural oils, exacerbating damage. ...
  3. Hydrate from inside and out: What you put in your body, shows on your skin.

What do sun spots look like?

Overview. Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.

Can leathery skin be reversed?

Another way to treat leather skin is through gentle exfoliation and applying a moisturizer every day. Luckily for us, we can heal our skin damage (unlike the unfortunately animals that make our leather products).

Does vitamin C reverse sun damage?

Topical vitamins C and E, as well as topical selenium, protect skin against sunburn, suntan and skin cancer and also reverse the mottled pigmentation and wrinkles of photoageing. However, only certain forms of these labile antioxidants are stable and active after percutaneous absorption.

Will a chemical peel remove sun damage?

Although chemical peels cannot be used to reduce cancerous skin conditions, they can be used to help fight the cosmetic impacts of UV damage. Specifically, chemical peels can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation.

What is the fastest way to get rid of age spots at home?

There are several at-home treatments that can reduce the look of age spots, including:
  1. Exfoliation. Skin cells regenerate about every month or so. ...
  2. Vitamin C serums. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps brighten skin and stimulates collagen production. ...
  3. Skin brightening serums. ...
  4. Prescription topicals. ...
  5. Chemical peels.

What does sun poisoned skin look like?

Sun rash is a very itchy, widespread red rash. Small bumps, resembling hives, also can develop. Blisters also can be a sign of sun poisoning. Typically, blisters are small, white bumps filled with fluid, with swollen red skin surrounding the area.

How do you heal sun damaged skin?

5 Tips to Save Damaged Skin from Summer
  1. Always apply moisturizer. ...
  2. Sunburned skin often shows redness, dryness, and peeling. ...
  3. Apply sunscreen every day. ...
  4. Drink plenty of water. ...
  5. Replenish your skin's moisture with after-sun production.

Can you reverse sun damage?

Photoaging and other collagen changes — Although it is not possible to reverse all of the effects of long-term sun damage, your doctor may be able to improve the appearance of your skin by prescribing tretinoin (a derivative of vitamin A) or strong alpha-hydroxy acids that you can apply directly to the skin.

Does apple cider vinegar really get rid of age spots?

There's also evidence that it may help manage dry skin, acne, and age spots, among other conditions. ACV is generally safe to use, but it does come with a risk of irritation or worsening skin symptoms, especially for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions.

What does a cancerous keratosis look like?

Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin. In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface. Color variations, including pink, red or brown.

What cream is good for sun damaged skin?

Fluorouracil is one of the treatments often used. It kills the abnormal skin cells and fresh normal skin grows back. The brand name for fluorouracil cream is Efudix®. Salicylic acid is another treatment that is sometimes used.

What does a damaged skin barrier look like?

A visible sign of a compromised skin barrier is flakiness. This occurs when the skin loses its ability to self-exfoliate and shed dead skin cells effectively, resulting in a buildup that appears as flaky patches. It's a sign that your skin needs gentle exfoliation and deep hydration to restore its smooth texture.

What age does sun damage start to show?

Signs of photodamage begin in the teens to early twenties. Symptoms include the following: Wrinkling. Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines) and freckles.

What lotion is good for sun damaged skin?

Neutrogena Sun Rescue After Sun Replenishing Lotion with Aloe Vera, Mint Extract, & Vitamin E, 24-Hour Moisture for Healthy Glow for Sensitive Skin, Vegan, Non-Comedogenic Lotion, 6.7 oz. This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.

What does a dermatologist do for sun-damaged skin?

Laser and light skin treatments can correct a wide range of skin problems related to sun exposure and aging, including wrinkles, dark spots, redness, spider veins, and uneven tone and texture. The right laser or light treatment for you will depend on your specific skin concerns.

What are the symptoms of too much sun exposure?

Symptoms of sun poisoning last longer and are more severe. They start with a red rash and can progress to blisters, severe pain, swelling, and fever. Blisters indicate a second-degree burn and can result in severe complications, including: dehydration from loss of fluids and electrolytes.

Previous article
What do you look like after a HydraFacial?
Next article
Is face serum good or bad for you?