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Sunshine can feel wonderful and boost your mood, but it can also damage your skin. The sun’s harmful rays include:

• High-energy visible light (HEV light).
• Infrared rays (IR).
• Ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Visible light (VL).

If you spend time outdoors without protection from the sun’s harmful rays, your skin may age prematurely. You also increase your risk of skin cancer.

But even if you already have wrinkles, dry skin, or sun spots, you can still improve your skin’s health and appearance. Read on for tips on how to reverse sun damage.

Sun Damage Basics

When you think of sun damage, you may picture a bad sunburn. And while a sunburn can cause short-term and long-term problems, your skin can suffer harm even without a burn. Without protection, prolonged exposure to all the harmful rays from the sun (or from tanning beds) can permanently damage your skin’s structure.

Dermatologists (skin doctors) also refer to sun damage as photoaging, photodamage, and solar damage.

Everyone is susceptible to sun damage, but those with lighter skin are at a greater risk of developing wrinkles and skin cancer. People with darker skin are more likely to develop uneven pigmentation and can also develop skin cancer and wrinkles.

When Should I See a Doctor for Sun-Damaged Skin?

All adults should see a dermatologist yearly to get checked for precancerous lesions and skin cancer. But you should also see a cosmetic dermatologist if you’re concerned about signs of sun damage or aging.

A cosmetic dermatologic surgeon is a board-certified dermatologist with additional training (fellowship) in cosmetic surgery procedures to improve the skin’s appearance using a variety of modalities. These treatments include:

• Dermal fillers.
• Lasers.
• Minimally invasive surgery.
• Neuromodulators (Botox/Dysport).
• Peels.

Cosmetic dermatologic surgeons are experts at reversing sun damage.

A cosmetic dermatologic surgeon can treat the following signs of sun damage:

• Age spots and sun spots.
• Blotchy or ruddy complexion.
• Loose skin.
• Precancerous spots (actinic keratosis).
• Spider veins and “broken blood vessels.”
• Uneven pigmentation on the skin.
• Wrinkles.

Most sun-damaged skin procedures occur in a doctor’s office, a clinic, or a medical spa.

How to Reverse Sun Damage

Your cosmetic dermatologic surgeon may suggest one of the following treatments for sun-damaged skin.

Chemical peels

A chemical peel is a controlled procedure in which doctors use a chemical solution to remove the outer skin layers. It can leave your skin looking fresher and more youthful, with fewer lines and wrinkles. The color of your skin may appear brighter, and the tone may look more even.

Chemical peels contain different types of acid, such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, and trichloroacetic acid. They come in different strengths. Some peels are superficial, while others go deeper into your skin.

Your doctor will tell you how to prepare for the peel. You may need to take medications to help prevent infection and help with healing. Before the peel, you should avoid sun exposure, hair dye, and facial masks.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a treatment that uses a roller with tiny needles to create thousands of tiny pinpoint pricks into the skin. This action stimulates your body to make collagen, the protein that provides support to your skin. The body heals the tiny holes with the right amount of collagen.

You should always have microneedling performed under the supervision of a physician. Home kits are available, but a DIY kit can easily damage your skin or cause an infection.

Types of microneedling include:

• Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) — You will have a small amount of blood drawn and spun to separate the PRP from the rest of the blood in a centrifuge. The PRP is then applied over the skin and will get into the tiny holes. This speeds up the healing process and enhances results from all the growth factors in the PRP.
• Radiofrequency microneedling — This procedure combines microneedling with heat. The heat improves the body’s ability to make collagen and is safe for all skin tones.

Laser treatments

Laser therapy uses light energy to repair and regenerate skin cells. It can be noninvasive to minimally invasive, depending on the degree of sun damage and the desired results.

There are different types of lasers for treating sun damage. Your doctor can tell you which one is right for you.  Some lasers target wrinkles and acne scars. Others build collagen or address broken blood vessels or sun spots.

Preventing More Sun Damage

Your skin is especially vulnerable when recovering from cosmetic treatments, so protecting it from the sun is important. Dermatologists recommend that you:

• Always apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above before going outdoors. Reapply often, especially after sweating or swimming.

• Cover your skin with long pants, long sleeves, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Follow their specific instructions for follow-up care and appointments.

• Minimize outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. if possible. That’s when the sun is at its peak.
• Use sunblock on your lips. There are sunscreens specially formulated for this sensitive area.
• Wear sunglasses with UV light protection.

It’s also important to continue good skin care habits. You should:

•  Apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer after washing.

• Never scrub your skin with a washcloth or sponge. Doing so can irritate your face.

• Pat — don’t wash — your face dry.
• Resist the urge to overwash your face. Twice a day — in the morning and before bedtime — is enough.

•  Use a gentle cleanser with no alcohol.

•  Use lukewarm (not hot) water to wash your face.

•  Wash off makeup every night.