Ask Dr Judy: How do I remedy sun damage?
We speak to one of Scotland’s longest-practising aesthetic doctors, and NHS hospital consultant, Dr Judy Todd of Synergy, to answer your urgent skincare and beauty questions…
Q: After my summer holiday, I’m worried about the damage I might have done to my skin. How do I know if I’ve caused myself sun damage and is there anything that I can do to remedy it?
A: Sun damage affects us all after some time, the extent of which depends on how you expose your skin to the sun. Don’t be fooled by just thinking it’s something you’re at risk of in the summer; sun damage can happen on any day of the year, even in Scotland!
That being said, the level of sun damage that can lead to premature ageing is most often caused by sunbathing, or overexposure to the outdoors without using adequate sunscreen (if you work outdoors, for instance). The single most important element in preventing sun damage is ensuring that you don’t burn your skin; even just one instance will cause lasting sun damage, so it’s essential to properly protect yourself.
Sun damage is caused by UV radiation from the sun’s rays, and manifests as fine line, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. The UV rays damage collagen and elastin (which give the skin its plumpness and elasticity) and damage the DNA in the melanocytes (the pigment-producing cells), leading to brown spots and patches on the skin.
If these symptoms sound familiar, you may well have sun damage. However, there are things you can do in the short- and long-term to help remedy the damage caused.
In the short term, uneven pigmentation can be treated with a good IPL system, such as Lumecca by Inmode, which is favoured by many top dermatologists worldwide. There is a huge spectrum of quality and efficacy regarding IPL systems, so choose very carefully where you go and do your research into which system they use. A bad treatment can leave you with, at best, no improvement, or at worst, bad burns, so it’s essential to be very picky about your choice of clinic.
In the longer-term, prevention is your best bet, although there are products which can help. Use factor 30 sunscreen daily; I recommend ZO’s Sunscreen & Primer, which lasts eight hours and can be worn under makeup. Make sure you smooth it up into the hairline or you’ll end up with a band of pigmentation there!
Anti-ageing skincare with retinol helps to improve the signs of sun damage, and chemical peels are a great supplement to this. There are specific skincare regimens available to suit mild to moderate sun damage, some of which contain prescription items, so it’s best to see a skin health doctor or dermatologist to advise on this. In more severe cases, you can opt for energy-based resurfacing treatments such as Fractora and Morpheus 8, which are great for collagen remodelling and stimulation, improving fine lines and wrinkles, and tightening the skin.
If you want to avoid sun damage in the future, just follow a few simple steps to protect your skin. Always wear at least factor 30 sunscreen, and if you are going to sunbathe, wear a hat and try to keep your face out of the direct rays.
However, do enjoy the sun where you can - it’s good for you, for our vitamin D levels, metabolism, and mental health and wellbeing. Don’t stay indoors; despite all of your best efforts, you can’t block out all of the sun’s rays, and even if you have looked after and protected your skin, by a certain age you will most likely notice some of the signs of sun damage, like uneven pigmentation. Enjoy the sun where you can but just be careful and take precautions to limit the damage to your skin.
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