Most signs of skin aging can be traced back to sun exposure, not solely the passage of time as one might expect.
Fine lines, dark spots, rough texture; These changes don’t happen overnight but build up with every unprotected hour in the sun. The effects are cumulative, often invisible to the naked eye at first.
The good news is that sun damage is often treatable and reversible.
At Whistler Medical Aesthetics, our approach combines clinically backed technology with expert care to help repair and protect your skin.
In this post, you’ll learn the signs and causes of sun-damaged skin and how to fix sun-damaged skin to optimise your skin for summer.
What Causes Sun-Damaged Skin?
Sun damage is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, tanning beds and some indoor lighting. Two types of UV rays play a role:- UV-A rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are the leading cause of premature aging. They break down collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles, sagging and texture changes.
- UV-B rays affect the surface of the skin and cause sunburn. Over time, they also contribute to pigmentation issues and increase the risk for different types of skin cancer.
Unlike a sunburn, sun damage builds slowly. It can happen even without intense sun or prolonged exposure. Driving, walking outside for a few minutes, sitting near a window or running errands without SPF all add up.
When UV rays regularly hit the skin without protection, they disrupt cell function, slow repair and alter how pigment forms. These changes can lead to the visible signs of sun damage over time.
Signs of Sun-Damaged Skin
These signs may not all appear at once and often develop slowly. But once they do, they tend to deepen over time unless the skin is actively treated and protected.
Common signs include:
- Uneven skin tone: Blotchy or patchy areas, often with darker pigmentation, especially on the cheeks, forehead and nose.- Fine lines and wrinkles: Lines form earlier in areas with the most exposure, like the eyes, lips and forehead.
- Rough or dry texture: Skin may start to feel coarse, flaky or less smooth than usual.
- Dullness or loss of radiance: UV exposure slows cell turnover, leaving the skin tired and flat.
- Sagging or loose skin: Collagen breakdown from UVA rays over time leads to a loss of firmness, particularly along the jawline and under the eyes.
- Sunspots (also called age spots or liver spots): Flat, brown spots that appear on areas frequently exposed to the sun, like the face, chest, shoulders and hands.
Sun-Damaged Skin Treatment Options
There are effective options to reverse sun damage. The best combination depends on your goals, skin condition and comfort level.
Below is a breakdown of what’s available and how it can help you.
VISIA® Skin Analysis
VISIA Skin Analysis Report
First off, we can start with a skin analysis.
Our VISIA® technology uses advanced imaging technology to assess the full extent of sun damage, even before it’s visible. It maps out spots, lines, texture issues and UV damage so we can create a treatment plan that targets exactly what your skin needs.
How it helps: A clear diagnosis leads to more effective and personalised results. It also gives you a visual baseline to track your progress over time.
Get Your Free Skin Analysis:
Skin IV Therapy
Skin IV Therapy can be a great starting point if you want something simple yet restorative to help your skin recover from oxidative stress caused by sun exposure. This infusion of antioxidants and hydration helps your skin bounce back from UV stress and strengthens it from within.
How it helps: When your skin is nourished at a cellular level, it becomes more resilient, better hydrated and visibly brighter. Note that this is a supportive therapy, ideal alongside other treatments or as a wellness boost.
Sciton ClearSilk™ Laser Facial
Before & After: ClearSilk™ Laser (under VISIA Skin Analysis)
ClearSilk™ uses advanced laser technology to gradually improve skin tone and texture from beneath the surface. A gentle way to refresh tired, sun-exposed skin, it stimulates collagen to promote a healthier and firmer complexion.
How it helps: It’s well-suited for anyone looking to ease into laser treatments. Because unlike traditional lasers, ClearSilk works on all skin types and tones.
Forever Young BBL™
Before & After: BBL
Forever Young BBL™ is a light-based therapy that uses broad-spectrum energy to target brown spots, broken capillaries and uneven tone caused by sun exposure. It also stimulates collagen production for improved skin firmness.
How it helps: Target pigmentation and redness with precision with consistent treatments. Forever Young BBL™ has been clinically shown to delay the appearance of skin aging and maintain long-term skin clarity.
Genius RF Microneedling
This Genius RF Microneedling treatment combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen at deeper levels. It’s effective for improving skin texture, fading the appearance of pigmentation and tightening areas affected by long-term sun exposure.
How it helps: Rebuild collagen and fade damage below the surface for smoother, firmer skin with a short recovery time and impressive results over a few sessions.
HALO™ Hybrid Fractional Laser
Before & After: HALO Laser
HALO™ uses dual laser wavelengths to treat surface damage and stimulate deep skin remodeling in one treatment. It targets sunspots (alongside fine lines, rough texture and uneven tone).
How it helps: HALO™ is ideal for reversing moderate to severe sun damage with long-lasting improvement in your skin’s appearance and health.
SkinTyte™ II
Using infrared light, SkinTyte™ heats the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen and promote natural tightening over time. It’s comfortable, quick and requires no downtime.
How it helps: While SkinTyte doesn’t target surface-level sun damage like pigmentation, it helps counteract one of the deeper effects of sun exposure: collagen loss. It’s especially useful for improving mild sagging and texture changes along the jawline and cheeks, where UV damage often speeds up visible aging.
Other Ways to Prevent Sun Damage
Sun protection is about consistency; small, mindful choices add to long-term results:
Use broad-spectrum SPF and medical-grade skincare.
Wearing sunscreen daily is non-negotiable. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every morning, even on cloudy days.
Pair that with medical-grade skincare products formulated with ingredients like vitamin C, retinol and peptides to support skin repair, improve resilience and correct early signs of UV stress.
These formulations are more potent and targeted than most over-the-counter options, giving your skin an added layer of protection and care.
Protective clothing and shade matter.
Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when you’re outside. In addition, try to limit your time in the sun by staying in the shade during peak hours.
Support your skin from the inside out.
Hydration, quality sleep and a diet rich in antioxidants can help to protect your skin by strengthening your skin’s natural defences and supporting recovery from daily stress.
Get Clear on What Will Work for You
When treating sun-damaged skin, the most effective results come from pairing the right treatments with the right skin type at the right time.
But that’s where expert guidance makes all the difference.
At Whistler Medical Aesthetics, every treatment plan is physician-led, with clinical oversight from Dr. Sarah Kennea, a highly respected physician with deep experience in medical aesthetics and regenerative medicine. This ensures every decision is grounded in safety, precision, and a deep understanding of skin health.
Whether you’re just starting to notice changes or have more advanced concerns, a personalised plan ensures your skin gets exactly what it needs.
Ready to get started or have more questions before committing to a treatment plan? Please book a consultation, and let’s put your skin on the path to recovery.
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