Sun Damage
The cumulative effect of years of sun exposure — and what can be done about it.
Sun damage is the single biggest cause of premature skin ageing. Ultraviolet radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, disrupts melanin production, damages the skin’s DNA at a cellular level, and accelerates virtually every visible sign of ageing. The effects accumulate silently over decades — the sun damage that manifests as age spots, uneven pigmentation, broken veins, rough texture and loss of firmness in the forties and fifties is largely the result of exposure that occurred in the teens, twenties and thirties.
Sun damaged skin presents in several distinct ways. Pigmentation changes — age spots, sun spots and areas of uneven discolouration — develop as melanocyte activity becomes dysregulated by cumulative UV exposure. Texture changes — roughness, dullness and an overall loss of the smooth, even surface of healthy skin — develop as collagen breaks down and cell turnover slows. Vascular changes — redness, broken capillaries and diffuse facial redness — develop as UV exposure damages the walls of small blood vessels. Loss of firmness and elasticity accelerates as collagen and elastin are broken down faster than the skin can replace them.
The good news is that sun damaged skin responds well to treatment. Many of the changes associated with sun damage are reversible with the right combination of clinical treatment and consistent sun protection going forward. The key is addressing both the visible damage and the underlying skin quality simultaneously.
Treatments to consider.
Consistent daily sun protection is the non-negotiable foundation of any sun damage treatment plan. Without SPF 30 or higher applied every day, any improvement achieved through clinical treatment will be undermined by continued UV exposure. This is not optional — it is the single most important thing a patient can do for their skin.
IPL is one of the most effective treatments for the pigmentation and vascular changes associated with sun damage — targeting melanin and haemoglobin selectively to clear age spots, even skin tone and reduce redness and broken capillaries. Photofabulous™ combines IPL with ResurFX™ fractional laser for patients whose concerns include both pigmentation and skin texture — addressing tone and structural quality in a single session. Microneedling and Tixel® stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture and quality progressively over a course of treatments. Chemical peels accelerate skin renewal and improve surface pigmentation and texture. Collagen stimulating treatments rebuild structural collagen lost to UV damage, improving firmness and skin quality over time. Professional skincare — particularly vitamin C, retinol and niacinamide — is the essential daily complement to clinical treatment, supporting skin renewal and helping prevent further damage.
Treatments that may help: IPL Skin Treatments, Photofabulous™, Microneedling, Tixel®, ResurFX™, Chemical Peels, Collagen Stimulating Treatments, Professional Skincare.
Not sure where to start?
Book a consultation with our clinical team, or explore our full range of treatments.