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Effective Skin Care Treatments to Repair Sun Damage and Aging
Beauty

Effective Skin Care Treatments to Repair Sun Damage and Aging

1 April 2025


ICYMI, the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the most common cause of premature skin aging, or more commonly, sun damage. It is one of the most difficult skin conditions to treat.




Not only are UV rays so harmful, but also because sun damage is often difficult to treat—wrinkles, dark spots, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity are all signs of severe sun damage to the face.



What is sun damage? “Sun damage occurs when the skin is overexposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays,” explains Michelle Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.




“UV rays can penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin and cause changes in DNA at the cellular level.” Green says UV rays can negatively impact the skin’s aging process and, in some cases, lead to cancer from a variety of



factors: From the surface of the skin to deep within the skin.




01. Apply vitamin C every day. “Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight hyperpigmentation, the formation of fine lines and wrinkles caused by exposure to UV rays,”



Green explains, pointing to L-ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C). The regenerative properties help speed up the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.




As you know, collagen and elastin are largely responsible for keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful. By using vitamin C, you can rejuvenate your complexion and slowly reverse the effects of sun damage, Green says.



02. Don’t be afraid of retinol. Another ingredient that’s great for sun-damaged skin? Retinol. “Topical tretinoin is considered the gold standard in anti-aging skin care, second only to sunscreen,” says Dr. Adeline Kikam,




board-certified dermatologist and founder of @brownkinder.



“Topical retinoids are commonly used in skin care to provide new texture to sun-damaged skin, promote skin cell turnover, and combat blemishes and uneven skin tone.” Additionally, Kikam says they help stimulate collagen




production , and stimulates elastin in the skin.



Skin, lost due to degeneration caused by ultraviolet radiation. “Prescription retinoids prescribed by dermatologists tend to be more effective and work faster than over-the-counter retinoids, which tend to be less effective and




work more slowly,” she adds.



“However, over-the-counter retinols are great for people with sensitive skin, as prescription retinoids may cause more irritation.”




03. Consider adding a chemical peel to your routine. If the words “chemical peel” coupled with your face scare you, let us ease your worries. Chemical acids can actually do wonders for your skin. According to Hope Mitchell, M.D.



add an acidic solution (also known as a chemical peel) to your skin care routine—whether you choose mandelic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or triclosan Acetic Acid – Both can help reverse sun damage.




“Chemical peels improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin by using a chemical solution to speed up the process of resurfacing or renewing the skin,” she explains. “With exfoliation, the new skin underneath may appear smoother,



less dull, less pigmented, and may even have fewer fine lines and precancerous lesions.”




Now that you definitely want to add a chemical peel to your routine, Keep in mind that while it’s very gentle to use on its own, mixing different chemical peels is generally not a good idea. So if you are adding more than one to



your daily routine, make sure you use one in the morning and one at night.




Also, as Kikam reminds us, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test before applying product to your entire face.



04. Book an in-office chemical peel. Because there are so many exfoliating acids on the market, and many at-home exfoliants are nowhere near as strong or effective as in-office peels, Mitchell recommends booking an appointment




for a chemical peel if you have obvious signs of sun damage.



Think of office peels as acidic household products raised to the power of ten. That’s because, as Mitchell points out, dermatologists can tailor peels to a patient’s specific needs — whether it’s sun spots, hyperpigmentation,




fine lines or wrinkles.



“This skill makes chemical peels one of the best cosmetic services dermatology clinics offer—they produce the best results,” she says.




05. Consider dermaplaning: Another treatment that can be done at home and in the office is dermaplaning. While at-home dermaplaning is very gentle and its main purpose is to improve skin texture by removing peach fuzz, in-office



dermaplaning goes a step further.




According to esthetician Edyta Jarosz, this is because in practice, dermaplaning is often combined with chemical peel treatments. “Dermaplaning helps replace sun-damaged skin with new skin growth, allowing for better absorption



of products and a healthier, more vibrant look,” she explains. “If you combine dermaplaning with a chemical peel, your results will be enhanced because your skin will be better able to tolerate the peel treatment.”

06. Make an appointment for dermabrasion (after summer) Generally speaking, summer is the best time to get sunburned. After all, this is the time when most people get out and enjoy nature and all it has to offer. The problem is

that in-office chemical peels and other skin resurfacing treatments, such as dermabrasion, can make the skin sensitive to the sun, making it more susceptible to damage. Therefore, Yaros recommends continuing these treatments

into the fall. “In the fall, chemical peels and Diamond Glow facials can be great options to restore and repair summer-damaged skin,” she says, noting that the DiamondGlow facial is a refreshing, rejuvenating facial.

“It exfoliates the skin’s surface, removes impurities from pores, and delivers a targeted serum to the skin. The newest option is TNS Advanced+Serum, which targets rough wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin to improve skin

tone and Texture.” So, she says it’s a great option for reversing the effects of sun damage.

07. Make an appointment for radiofrequency microneedling treatment Another practical option is radiofrequency microneedling. “Years of exposure to the sun without sun protection can lead to rough and uneven texture changes, as

well as fine lines and wrinkles,” Kikam explains, noting that radiofrequency microneedling can be used to treat sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles. Wrinkles, thereby reshaping the skin’s texture to provide support. Perhaps

the reason it’s so effective is because it combines two techniques into one. “Microneedling is a medical procedure that uses short, thin needles to injure the skin in a controlled manner, thereby stimulating collagen and

elastin production and increasing blood flow,” Kikam explains, noting that it can be used alone or with radiofrequency Energy is used in combination to get better results. “Radiofrequency energy, on the other hand, is a

non-surgical method in which an insulated needle penetrates the skin and releases radiofrequency energy from the needle tip, penetrating deeper into the skin, stimulating collagen and tightening the skin.”

08. Consider shuttle While retinol is the gold standard for at-home anti-aging ingredients, Fraxel is the “magic eraser” in the office and the gold standard treatment for improving skin tone and texture, Green says. “Fraxel is

often recommended to patients suffering from sun damage because it can combat a variety of skin problems,” she says. “Fraxel creates controlled microscopic wounds in the skin by using highly concentrated laser pulses. As the

skin repairs these wounds, collagen production increases, new skin cells grow, and sun damage begins to heal.” The tricky thing about sun damage is that you can’t always look at it in a way that makes you think, “Damn, I have

sun damage.” In some cases, your skin may look relatively flawless, But then you go to the dermatologist and have their UV rays tested. Photography and was horrified by the results. This is because many signs of sun damage

take a while to fully reach the surface of the skin (this may seem confusing since UV rays hit the surface of the skin first, but be patient). How long does it take for sunburn to show up? “Due to the depth of UV damage to

skin cells, sunburn can take years to appear,” Green explains, noting that visible signs of sunburn include brown spots, wrinkles and fine lines, as well as loss of skin elasticity and elasticity. Evenly. tone or texture. If

you notice these signs, you don’t have to worry, Green says. Instead, take a deep breath and make sure you know how to repair (and prevent) sun-damaged skin with the list of at-home and in-office treatments we’ve compiled

below.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
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