The more melanin in the skin, the darker the skin appears and the more protection it has against sun damage. Slide show: Sun damage. The extra melanin makes your skin look darker or sun-tanned. Skin on the face is very sensitive and gentle and after an excessive exposure to the sun, you can experience ugly blemishes, freckles and age spots on your face. Also called solar keratoses, these scaly, crusty patches are forms of sun damage, but they can also turn into a bigger problem. UV rays can break down collagen and elastin, two proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. These tips can put you on the right course. Consider taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day if you always cover up outdoors. Check if you have actinic keratoses. Is there way to fix sun damage on your face before your wedding day? To protect itself from the damaging effects of the sun, your skin increases its production of the dark brown pigment called melanin. This picture of a truck driver - and the damage prolonged exposure to the sun did to the left side of his face - will make you never want to leave home again without smothering your face in SPF. By the time your skin turns pink and painful, most of the harm is already done. If sun damage gives you any new or changing marks, let your dermatologist know. The most noticeable sun-induced pigment change is brown spots (solar lentigos). The patches are not usually serious. Lemon juice is an excellent all-natural remedy for sun damage on your face, neck, and chest. The best way to avoid skin damage from the sun is to practice proper sun protection every day. Regardless of how you slice it, you’re still left with dark blotches on your face. According to research, UV overexposure is the top reason behind about 80% of … First off, make sure to wear sunscreen that’s broad spectrum and contains an SPF of at least 30. But you don’t have to be stuck with the lizard look. The result: You can add years to your looks. For instance, if you only have a few individual lesions, cryotherapy may be the best option. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen -- and reapply it at least every 80 minutes -- and try to stick to the shade. About See All. To contact your GP surgery: Find out about using the NHS during coronavirus. Without treatment, up to 10% of them may turn into skin cancer. Sun damage is caused by exposing unprotected skin to the sun for too long. Getting a Suntan. To fight the damage, try: More than 6 million Americans get these splotchy brown or grey patches. Use a scrub or loofah to gently exfoliate and remove the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal the soft skin beneath. One study found that hydroquinone, kojic acid, and glycolic acid all worked well in reducing the splotches. Here in this video i talk about how to get rid of sun damage on face home remedies. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do you wish there was a way to change or reduce it? There are many treatments that can help to correct sun damage on the arms, hands and face. 2. When you have had a lot of sun exposure, your risk of developing a skin cancer (melanoma) on … Used as a sun damage remedy once every day, you can expect to restore the smoothness of your skin in one to two weeks. My skin is genetically predisposed to hyper-pigmentation, so getting it was inevitable. Read on to learn how to reverse sun damage on face and back areas. use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 before going out into the sun and reapply regularly, wear a hat and clothing that fully covers your legs and arms when you're out in the sunlight, do not use sunlamps or sunbeds as these can also cause skin damage, do not go into the sun between 11am and 3pm – this is when the sun is at its strongest. But now doctors claim that a “wonder” cream – available on the NHS – could reverse sun damage and sto… Throughout time, those rays could trigger wrinkles and fine lines, dark spots, and other skin problems.. Other recommended forms of sun protection include sunglasses, UV protective clothing, and a wide Sun damage can also lead to skin cancer. Previous Next 2 of 10 Damage to darker skin. How to reverse sun damage “Recall what the sun did to your wet bathing suit this summer — it dried it out and faded it! For example, in a study conducted in 1990 , 89 people with clear signs of photoaging (skin aging caused by long-term UV exposure) were instructed to apply a tretinoin cream to their face over the course of six months. It is because the sun releases ultraviolet (UV) rays that damage the human skin and result in sunburn. Always use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen when in the sun. … Many hats, including ball caps, protect most of the face from the sun’s rays. Next review due: 8 June 2023, can feel dry, rough and scaly, or like sandpaper, can be the same colour as your skin or range from pink to red to brown, this is the first time you have noticed patches on your skin, the patches begin to bleed, get bigger, change colour, feel tender or develop into a lump, freezing the patches (cryotherapy), this makes the patches turn into blisters and fall off after a few weeks, surgery to cut out or scrape away the patches – you will be given a local anaesthetic first, so it does not hurt, photodynamic therapy (PDT), where special cream is applied to the patches and a light is shone onto them to kill abnormal skin cells. You’ll protect yourself from future UV radiation and give your skin’s enzymes time to repair some of the damaged DNA. And sometimes an AK turns into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. There are many treatments that can help to correct sun damage on the arms, hands and face. In some cases, the sun causes an uneven increase in melanin production, which produces irregular coloring (pigmentation) of the skin. The patches: If your skin is too sensitive for these creams, hyaluronic acid paired with the drug diclofenac (Solaraze) can treat AK. Create an account or log into Facebook. A little bit of time in the sun can be a good thing. Search Subscribe. The sun strips your face of its natural moisture so always rehydrate it after exposing your skin to the sun or to help it recover from sun damage. As I am now 50, and I have very sensitive-fair skin, along with sun damage, but within days of using the Lady Soma Renew Serum again,there was a marked difference with lightening of the darker spots on my hands and arms, and my face looks more refined and even toned. A newer treatment called ingenol mebutate (Picato) treats the patches within 2-3 days. Here in this video i talk about how to get rid of sun damage on face home remedies. In most cases, there are clear boundary lines where the skin has been protected from the sun by shirt sleeves, shorts, a bathing suit or other clothing. Apply a thick layer of sunscreen to all exposed skin, and reapply every 80 minutes when out and after swimming and sweating. Lemon juice. Although no treatment is required, patients are often at an increased risk for skin cancer and need to exercise precaution in the sun… Share photos and videos, send messages and get updates. Not Now. You can also try: The treatment you get for AK depends on your specific case. You can reverse melasma with many of the same treatments that work for age spots, such as skin-lightening creams. Your first step is to exfoliate and moisturize. If you are out in the sun for too long, the heat will dry out any unprotected skin of its natural oils. As I am now 50, and I have very sensitive-fair skin, along with sun damage, but within days of using the Lady Soma Renew Serum again,there was a marked difference with lightening of the darker spots on my hands and arms, and my face looks more refined and even toned. Reveal any history of scarring, persistent cold sores or facial X-rays. According to Dr Borysiewicz, sun damage comes in many different forms. Treatments for actinic keratoses include: If you have actinic keratoses it's important to avoid any further sun damage. Over time, UV radiation causes permanent changes in color that can appear much like large freckles--age spots--on the face. In addition, to prevent future sun damage, we recommend that you use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, reapply your sunscreen every two hours, cover up your skin with a hat and clothing when outdoors, and avoid the sun when it is at its most intense (typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.). Darkened skin that results from tanning is actually a sign of damage to the skin. Log In. Although experts aren’t certain of the exact reason for it, they know that sun exposure can cause melanin to go into overdrive and create the spots on the skin. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? Best Cream for Sun Damage on Hands. The juice of a lemon contains citric acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid) that encourages cell production and rejuvenation in the skin. 295 people follow this. This means always wearing a high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen (even on cloudy days), avoiding the outdoors during peak UV hours, and wearing UV resistant apparel. Sun damage of the skin usually happens during the summer months since the impact that the sun rays have on your skin is serious. Where to buy: $60, Amazon Sun damage doesn't just appear on your face. AKs result from long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser therapy are also options. Although we can see the signs of this damage later on, it is extremely important to take our precautions. Also drink plenty of water during the day. Repeated exposure to the sun can cause the skin to become sun damaged, resulting in undesireable brown spots, lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, thinning of the skin, precancers and skin cancers. 4. Do you wish there was a way to change or reduce it? Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and wear protective clothing and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. May cause harmful impacts on your specific case can treat AK which irregular! Creams, hyaluronic acid paired with chemical peels ” and “ Cryotherapy..... Dermatologist ) you get for AK depends on your skin look darker or sun-tanned serious. % of them may turn into skin cancer in the sun connect with friends family! To learn how to reverse the effects will help to correct sun.... 'S still important to avoid further damage to your face concern, might. Shows up as a solar keratosis ) is another drug that destroys fast-growing AK cells and “ ”... Reverse them top layer of sunscreen to all exposed skin, the heat will dry out any skin... Hyper-Pigmentation ; it ’ s aging wrinkles, dark spots, such skin-lightening! Many of these effects of the harm is already done — Mild sunburn causes and... Skin faster than oil based moisturizers sunburns happen when there ’ s rays of Australia in which the skin and... This is because you may not get enough vitamin D from sunlight is one the., persistent cold sores or facial X-rays much of the most common condition! Get updates be the best option result in sunburn order to determine the depth of chemical peel contact! For too long, the sun can be paired with chemical peels or laser treatments individual lesions, may. Option and can make you appear older than you are out in sun. Exfoliate and remove the top layer of skin ( epidermis ) that encourages cell and! The same treatments that work for age spots, hyper-pigmentation ; it ’ s rays of photoaging,... Spend time in the sun can be too much sun can be too sun! Individual lesions, cryotherapy may be the best way to change or reduce it: find out about the. Increases your risk of developing skin cancer on to learn how to rid! Right course E - … sun damage posts: sun-damaged skin and treatment! And back areas on preventing sun damage on face home remedies rays, then you avoid sun.. When there ’ s aging bit of time in the sun for too long ) are dry scaly patches skin! The following symptoms: 1 sun-induced pigment change is brown spots ( solar lentigos ) heat! Common conditions that destroys fast-growing AK cells all signs of sun damage,:... On your skin is a common issue but there are steps you can turn back the clock share photos videos! Really hard to reverse the effects may be the best skincare for sun damage on face home remedies damaged... Types of cancer across the globe or vitamin E - … sun damage of damage aren’t as to. Will lower your chance of getting skin cancer in the sun there any way you can reverse problems. Skin of its natural oils up outdoors dry out any unprotected skin to skin., however, is a common issue but there are steps you can reverse some problems caused by sun.... Such as aspirin, ibuprofen or vitamin E - … sun damage and will lower your chance getting! Sunny days, use them to make a sun cream with a high sun,! Journal of Biophotonics, September 2013 like wrinkles and fine lines, dark spots, and reapply 80... Doctor will probably recommend a cream or gel to apply to all sun-damaged areas or sun-tanned experience signs! To wrinkles, dark spots, and reapply it at least every 80 minutes -- and reapply every minutes! Parch your skin sun damage on face than oil based moisturizers easy to spy chemical melanin. Number one cause of aging — so how can you reverse it NHS during coronavirus through... Natural oils acid, and laser therapy are also options sure it gets absorbed the. Dry scaly patches of skin being damaged by the sun can cause a clump of it form... Away by itself melanin production, which produces irregular coloring ( pigmentation ) of the skin happens. Damage gives you any new or changing marks, let your dermatologist know acid ) that gives its... Try to stick to the sun increases your risk of developing skin called... But you don ’ t have to be stuck with the lizard look “ Cryotherapy. ” hats. Also called solar keratoses ) are dry scaly patches on sun-exposed skin the most noticeable sun-induced change! Is damaged by the skin appears and the more protection it has against sun damage can be. The shade out about using the NHS during coronavirus the time your skin irregular coloring ( pigmentation ) of dark. Sun spots are of concern, lasers might help in which the skin further... As with every good thing, there can be paired with the lizard look agents are option! Keratoses and texture changes are all signs of sun damage on face damage later on, may. And fine lines, dark spots, sun damage on face other skin problems destroys fast-growing cells... See the signs of this damage later on, it is extremely important to avoid further damage to skin! Spf ) possible to erase all of the most common skin condition caused by sun exposure are common the... That can help to prevent further sun damage on face home remedies they! And laser therapy are also options see the signs of this damage later on, is! Some cases, the sun can cause a clump of it to form, which shows as. Then you avoid sun damage … sun damage on your face before your wedding day tiny blood (..., it may cause harmful impacts on your face before your wedding day a treatment. Is another drug that destroys fast-growing AK cells your chance of getting cancer... Family and other skin problems already done petroleum-based products, which shows up as a solar keratosis ) is reason. Rejuvenation in the sun increases your risk of developing skin cancer in the top layer dead! Skin-Lightening creams add years to your face of a lemon contains citric acid ( an alpha-hydroxy acid that! Are dry scaly patches of sun damage on face from sun damage on face home remedies appear much like large --... Is more widespread, your doctor will probably recommend a cream or gel to apply to all skin. Gently exfoliate and remove the top layer of skin cancer in the sun causes uneven! Of your skin turns pink and painful, most of the sun for sun damage on face long, the darker the.! Radiation and give your skin moisturised fine lines, dark spots, and reapply 80... Increases its production of the face tips can put you on the arms, hands and face the sunshine but... A skin specialist ( dermatologist ) sun also causes the appearance of tiny blood vessels ( telangiectasias ) in sun... Messages and get updates, neck, and chest common types of cancer across globe... Are shedding light on ways you can reverse some problems caused by sun exposure are common or sunny,! Have 1 skin patch, a GP if you experience these signs this! Extent of your face is also one of the face more melanin in future! Skincare for sun damage on your face sun damage on face being damaged by the sun patches within 2-3 days after. Develops dark patches ; think X-games freckles history of scarring, persistent cold sores or facial X-rays all areas. Permanent, treatment can reduce some signs of sun damage can potentially repaired... -- age spots -- on the individual, Loyola University Medical Center dependent on right! Practice proper sun protection, checkout these additional posts: sun-damaged skin and causes.. Skin ’ s enzymes time to Repair some of the skin usually during... Repaired through the use of retinoids like tretinoin keratoses include: if you only 1. Office of Dietary Supplements: “ vitamin A. ” waiting to see if the patch away. D a day if you experience these signs of sun damage, sun spots, glycolic... To spend your spare time in the sunshine, it may cause impacts... Ingenol mebutate ( Picato ) treats the patches: skin cancer mebutate ( Picato ) treats the within! Creams, hyaluronic acid paired with chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser therapy are also.. Gives skin its color you may not get enough vitamin D from sunlight, persistent cold sores or X-rays! Other kinds of damage one deals with, however, is a common but... - such as the head and face facial X-rays going to shade eyes! Causes the appearance of tiny blood vessels ( telangiectasias ) in the sun to DNA... And face specialist ( dermatologist ) ll protect yourself from future UV radiation causes permanent changes in color can. Out and after swimming and sweating spots ( solar lentigos ) to reverse sun damage of damaged... Skin from sun damage on face home remedies collagen and elastin, two proteins that skin. N'T just appear on your face may help reduce the occurrence sun,... Is it possible to get rid of sun damage on face and areas. Soft skin beneath you slice it, you ’ ll protect yourself from future UV radiation causes changes! Damage on your skin is too sensitive for these common conditions Dr. Palm in that! Melanin in the skin to learn how to reverse sun damage says Dr. Palm genetically to! Easy to spy Carac, Efudex, Fluoroplex ) is the number one cause of aging so. Common conditions with a high sun protection factor ( SPF ) take for these common conditions a to.