Can Sun Damage Be Reversed?

No matter your skin tone, the effects of too much time spent unprotected in the sun will eventually catch up with you. 

Whether you’re just starting to notice the sun spots and fine lines or things have progressed to wrinkles, leathery skin, and full-blown sun damage, you may wonder if it’s too late to do anything about it and if it can be reversed.

Fortunately, the short answer is, yes, you can probably reverse your skin damage—but it’s not always going to be easy. 

Depending on the level of damage, it may require expensive and extensive treatments at dermatologist offices. 

If your sun damage is relatively minor or nascent, you may be able to reverse it with some topical treatments and lifestyle changes. 

Let’s first take a look at the different types and characteristics of sun-damaged skin.

What Does Sun Damage Look Like?

There are many ways that sun damage can manifest on your skin. (By the way, we’re not talking at all about skin cancer here—this is strictly about the more superficial side of sun damage.) 

• Photoaging: Photoaging is the term used to describe sun-damaged skin with premature aging. All of the following symptoms are characteristics of photoaging. Premature skin aging can also include uneven skin texture, dry skin, and thinning skin. 
• Wrinkles: Everyone knows what wrinkles are, from fine lines to crow’s feet to smile lines. While age and genetics are certainly factors in wrinkle development, sun damage can speed up the process.
• Hyperpigmentation: Hyperpigmentation is a general term for skin that is darker than the surrounding skin due to increased melanin production. People get hyperpigmentation from acne scars, skin inflammation, hormonal changes, or other skin conditions. Sun exposure can make hyperpigmentation from these situations much worse.
• Melasma: A form of hyperpigmentation that appears as light brown or dark spots on the skin (almost like large freckles). They can also appear as flat, dark patches. Not all melasma is caused by sun exposure, but excessive sun can make it worse.
• Sun Spots: Also known as age spots or actinic keratoses, sun spots are hyperpigmented areas of the skin caused by overactive pigment cells that produce too much melanin from sun exposure. They can look a lot like melasma, appearing as small, flat, brown, or dark spots. 
• Leathery Skin: This one doesn’t have an official medical definition, but we all know what this looks like—that person at the beach every day who has never worn sunscreen and now has tough and leathery skin resembling a worn-in handbag. This occurs from a lifetime of unprotected sun exposure. Excess UV radiation damages collagen fibers in the skin, increasing the production of abnormal elastin that makes the skin thick and rough.

How to Repair Sun-Damaged Skin

The first step to reverse sun damage to your skin is preventing further damage, which means consistently and effectively slathering yourself with high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Broad-spectrum sunscreen means that it blocks (physical sunscreen) or absorbs (chemical sunscreen) both UVA and UVB rays.

Yes, that means on every part of your body that has exposed skin, and yes, you need to reapply throughout the day. Your skin will never repair itself if it’s constantly being exposed to excessive UV rays. 

Apply about ½ of a teaspoon of sunscreen (SPF 40 or higher, in this case) to your entire face and a shot glass’s worth to the rest of your body. Don’t forget areas that commonly get missed, including ears, neck, hands, and feet. 

Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if you are sweating, exercising, or swimming.

At-Home Treatments and Topical Skincare Products for Sun Damage

• Retinol and Retinoids: Retinol is a type of retinoid (derivatives of vitamin A) that fades hyperpigmentation and improves uneven skin tone by increasing skin cell turnover. Retinoids are also thought to help with wrinkles because they increase collagen production. Some retinol products are over-the-counter, while others require a prescription (like tretinoin creams). 
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant with anti-aging benefits that also can repair existing sun damage. It works by reducing free radicals (which can develop from UV exposure) that cause photoaging, as well as supporting collagen production. Vitamin C serums can also help with acne.
• Niacinamide: This vitamin B3 (niacin) derivative is well-known for reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation, which are two common symptoms of sun damage. Niacinamide works by regulating melanin production to lighten dark spots. It’s also great for reducing sebum production and acne, minimizing the appearance of pores, and improving the skin’s barrier function.
• AHAs: Standing for alpha-hydroxy acids, AHAs are chemical exfoliants that can help with hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. Chemical exfoliants are different from physical exfoliants (like facial scrubs) in that they remove or dissolve (“exfoliate”) dead skin cells by breaking down their bonds. This helps to unclog pores, prevent breakouts, and increase skin cell turnover to help with hyperpigmentation. AHAs are best for mild hyperpigmentation, like acne scars, melasma, and sun spots. AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and citric acid.
• BHAs: Like AHAs, BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) are also chemical exfoliants. BHAs are oil-soluble, meaning they can get deeper into your skin’s pores to dissolve excess sebum. They also help with fine lines and wrinkles and are great for sun-damaged, acne-prone, oily skin. BHAs almost always refer to salicylic acid (a common acne treatment) or other derivatives of willow tree bark or birch bark, like Salix alba or betaine salicylate.
• Azelaic Acid: Azelaic acid is a natural acid derived from grains that is often prescribed for people with acne. You can also get it over the counter to help with sun damage. Azelaic acid inhibits tyrosinase, which reduces the appearance of dark spots hyperpigmentation. 
• LED Masks: Many at-home LED face masks can help with wrinkles and sun damage. LED masks may also help with hyperpigmentation, but one caveat is that some can increase the appearance of melasma. Red light therapy is likely best for sun damage, while blue light is often used to help with acne. 

Keep in mind that many of these topical skincare products—especially retinol, AHAs, and BHAs—make your skin even more sensitive to the harmful effects of the sun. This means that you need to be extra vigilant about applying and reapplying SPF on your face. Otherwise, you’ll simply make your sun damage worse.

If you use any of these products—with the exception of vitamin C—they should be applied during your evening skincare routine in order to reduce the possibility of sun sensitivity. 

You should not try to use all of these products at once—especially too many acids. Using too many of these products could damage your skin barrier and make matters worse. If you’re unsure which to add to your skincare routine, speak with a dermatologist or licensed esthetician.

Dermatological Treatments for Sun Damage

We won’t get too deep into these, as a dermatologist should recommend and speak more about them, but there are several medical treatments that can be done for sun damage:

• Chemical Peels: These are a more intense version of the at-home chemical exfoliants (AHAs and BHAs). Chemical peels use a strong chemical solution—like glycolic, lactic, mandelic, or salicylic acid—to remove the outer layer of old skin and allow for healthier skin underneath to develop. The healing time can be extensive, up to two weeks for light or medium peels. Deep peels can take up to three months to fully heal and show results. 
• Laser Skin Resurfacing: Lasers also remove the outer layer of dead skin by vaporizing it layer by layer. They also stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers, which helps to make the skin smoother and firmer. You may see ablative lasers (like Fraxel or CO2 lasers) used for sun-damaged skin, which uses an intense beam of light to remove the epidermis. Non-ablative lasers are used for wrinkles and brown spots and work by heating the skin tissue (without removing the outer skin layer) so that the skin produces new collagen.
• Dermabrasion: Also known as derma planing or microdermabrasion, this process essentially involves intense scraping and exfoliating of the skin to remove the outermost skin layer. While it’s possible to do lighter microdermabrasion at home, it’s best to leave it to the experts so you don’t damage your skin. 
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy: Also known as a photo facial or photo rejuvenation, IPL therapy uses different light wavelengths to treat various skin conditions, including sun damage and hyperpigmentation.

Lifestyle

Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention some health and lifestyle factors that can play a significant role in how your skin looks. 

• Daily Sunscreen: You know the drill! Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen all over your face and body (SPF 40 or above if you’re trying to reverse sun damage) every two hours. 
• Limit Mid-Day Sun Exposure: Although it can’t always be avoided, try to spend time outside during off-peak hours (before 11 a.m. and after 3 or 4 p.m.). 
• Embrace an Incognito Look: Channel your inner 1950s movie star and cover up with a wide-brimmed hat, large sunglasses, and a light scarf to protect your face and neck from the sun at peak hours. 
• Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods: The foods you eat can significantly change how your skin looks and heals. Eat foods rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports collagen production, like berries, citrus, and bell peppers. Also, try to incorporate a wide variety of plant polyphenols from foods like cruciferous vegetables, tea, cocoa, onions, garlic, herbs, and spices.
• Get Enough Sleep: Deep and restorative sleep is when your body repairs cells and tissues—including skin cells. This can help reduce sun damage, including wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. 
• Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol can make skin dry, puffy, inflamed, and wrinkled. If you want to reverse sun damage on your skin, avoiding or minimizing alcohol will help. 

Sun Damage FAQs