Sun damaged skin: Causes, signs, prevention, and treatment for healthy, radiant skin

Sun damaged skin: Causes, signs, prevention, and treatment for healthy, radiant skin

Unpredictable weather aside, summer is a time when many of us head outside or on holiday and the risk of sun damage to our skin intensifies.

That being said, sun damage is possible all year round, not just during the summer or when the sun is shining. This is why it’s so important to protect your skin at all times.

What is sun damage?

Sun damage is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The intensity of these rays will vary depending on the season and your geographical location, but UV radiation can still reach your skin even on cloudy or overcast days.

This means that even if you’re not actively sunbathing or spending time outdoors, your skin can be susceptible to sun damage. Also, snow and water can reflect UV rays, intensifying their impact, so the advice in this blog applies 365 days of the year!

UVA and UVB: What’s the difference?

The sun directs a vast spectrum of light towards the Earth. We can see some parts of the spectrum with our human eyes, but other parts are invisible to us – this includes UV radiation.

Most UV radiation is soaked up by the atmosphere, but two types of rays do get through: UVA (accounting for 95%) and UVB (5%).

UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and cause long-term damage, which is what creates the tanning effect that so many of us seek (often without knowing how bad it is for us). As well as causing almost all forms of skin ageing, UVA radiation damages our collagen and elastin and creates free radicals (unstable atoms that harm the skin through a process called oxidative stress – see more about this below!)

UVB rays are packed full of energy and, while they don’t penetrate as deeply as UVA rays, they can damage the surface of your skin (i.e., sunburn) and are more closely linked to skin cancer.

Both types of radiation can contribute to various skin issues when the skin is exposed for extended periods without protection.

DNA damage and oxidative stress

As we’ve already touched on, there are two key processes that happen to skin cells when they’re exposed to UV radiation: DNA damage and oxidative stress.

When UVB rays penetrate the skin, they directly interact with the DNA within the cells, leading to the formation of abnormal DNA structures called “photoproducts”, which can disrupt the normal functioning of the cells and result in mutations (such as an overproduction of melanin) if not repaired.

With oxidative stress, both UVA and UVB rays stimulate the production of what are known as “reactive oxygen species” (ROS) within the cells. ROS are highly reactive molecules that can cause damage to different components in each cell, including the DNA and any proteins. This can lead to tissue damage, inflammation and premature ageing of the skin.

Your body responds to these processes by trying to repair the damaged DNA and remove any affected cells. However, if there’s too much damage, the body isn’t able to cope, which can lead to hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and a much higher chance of developing skin cancer.

What are the signs of sun damage?

Most people think of sunburn as being the most obvious sign that they’ve spent too much time in the sun.

In reality, sun damage manifests itself in various ways, some more subtle than others. It’s important that you’re able to recognise these signs, although, ideally, we hope you will protect your skin before they have a chance to occur!

• Hyperpigmentation

Dark patches or spots on the skin, known as hyperpigmentation, are a significant indicator of sun damage. These spots occur when the skin produces an excess amount of melanin in response to UV exposure.

Anyone can develop hyperpigmentation, regardless of skin tone. Darker shades of skin tend to have higher concentrations of eumelanin, which manifests as brown and black pigment, and lighter shades have higher concentrations of pheomelanin, which appears as pink, red and yellow. UV damage can cause either type of melanin to over produce and create uneven patches of colour.

• Wrinkles and fine lines

As we’ve seen above, prolonged sun exposure can accelerate the ageing process within each cell, leading to the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. This occurs due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres in the skin, which are responsible for its firmness and elasticity.

• Uneven skin tone

Sun damage can cause uneven skin tone and texture, making the complexion appear dull and lacklustre. Discolouration and redness may also be present, further affecting the skin's overall appearance.

• Dull, dry, dehydrated skin

UV radiation can disrupt your skin’s barrier function, affecting its ability to retain moisture. This can also lead to increased water loss in the surface of your skin, causing it to feel tough, dry and tight due to dehydration. In addition, the sun’s rays can reduce the amount of natural moisturising factors (NMF) in your skin, which, again, compromises its ability to retain water.

• Sunburn

This is an immediate sign that you’ve exposed your skin to UV damage. It’s characterised by red, painful, and sometimes blistered skin. Severe sunburn can contribute to long-term skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.

How to prevent sun damage

It’s vital that you take steps to protect your skin from sun damage. In fact, this is one of the surest ways to keep your skin looking clear, healthy and youthful. Our top five tips for sun damage prevention are:

1. Wear sunscreen

The Skin Cancer Foundation urges us all to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day – ideally, SPF 15 or higher for overcast days or when you’re indoors, and SPF 30 or above before going outdoors. This advice applies to you even if you tan easily or you don’t tend to sunburn.

Reapply every two hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating.

2. Wear protective clothing

Wearing protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirts will help to shield your skin from direct sun exposure.

3. Seek shade

It’s sensible to limit your time in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours. Seek shade under umbrellas, trees, or other sun-protective structures.

4. Avoid tanning beds

Tanning beds emit UV radiation that can be just as damaging as the sun. Avoid their use to prevent unnecessary harm to your skin. If you want that sun-kissed look, opt for a good quality fake tan instead.

5. Stay hydrated

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. This can help to replenish the water lost through sweating and maintain your optimal skin hydration. Use a good moisturiser too and this will help to replenish and lock in any lost moisture.

Treating sun-damaged skin

While prevention is vital, if you have sun-damaged skin, it’s important to take care of it and address any issues. Many aesthetic treatments are designed to help repair damaged cells, hydrate your skin, or stimulate the production of strengthening collagen and elastin.

Here at Medikaur, we offer the following treatments that can reduce or correct hyperpigmentation:

• Professional cosmeceutical skincare products

Some professional skincare products require a prescription because they offer higher strength solutions than over-the-counter options. Zo® products, for example, contain active ingredients that penetrate the epidermis to heal, change and improve the appearance of your skin. We can advise you on the best products for your individual needs for truly personalised skin care at home and in the clinic.

• Skin peels

Light and medium-depth skin peels can help to remove damaged cells from your skin’s surface to give you a clearer, more even complexion, as well as stimulating fresh collagen production. The peels we offer at Medikaur have minimal downtime.

One of most popular peels is The Red Carpet Peel, which can lessen the appearance of moderate lines and wrinkles, acne, age spots, and uneven pigmentation, as well as improving your skin texture with just one treatment.

• Skin needling

As the name suggests, with skin needling we use a handheld electronic stamping device that has a single-use tip containing a cluster of microscopic needles. As we pass the device over your skin, it makes tiny, almost invisible channels into your skin. This stimulates your body’s natural healing response, causing your skin to create fresh collagen and elastin within each injury site.

Harnessing this innate healing process can help to strengthen your skin and restore some of its elasticity, as well as combatting areas of hyperpigmentation.

You can read more about nine of the amazing benefits of microneedling here.

• NU SKIN AGELOC GALVANIC SPA & LUMISPA

Nu Skin’s ageLOC Galvanic Spa treatment (in-clinic) and LumiSpa skincare system (for at-home skincare) are both designed to stimulate healthy skin cell production and can help to correct the damage caused by UV radiation.

• Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is designed to gently remove the top layer of damaged cells from your skin to reveal the unblemished cells underneath and to stimulate the production of healthy cells. This can be an effective treatment for restoring your skin’s natural radiance and removing superficial sun damage.

Healthy skin all year round

It’s fantastic that you’re thinking about sun damage and want to know more about it. 

Understanding the causes of sun damage, recognising the signs, and taking preventive measures means that you can maintain healthier, more youthful-looking skin and do everything possible to safeguard against skin cancer.

If sun damage has already occurred, please seek professional advice to help you address the visible effects and restore your skin's radiance.

Remember, prevention is key, so prioritise sun protection and make it a part of your daily skincare routine to safeguard your skin from further damage.

If you have sun-damaged skin, book a consultation to discuss which treatments will help to restore your skin’s health.