Best Treatment For Sun Damaged Skin on Face

Sun damage doesn’t show up overnight. It builds over time, showing itself as dark spots, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and that dry, rough texture that won’t go away with just moisturiser. If you skipped sunscreen for years or spent too many days at the beach, your skin may look older and duller.

But luckily, it’s not permanent. While you can’t undo every bit of damage, there are proven treatments that can smooth, brighten, and restore your skin. Some treatments can be done at home, while others are better done by a professional doctor. 

Let’s break down your options and figure out what actually works.

Professional Treatments to Get Rid of Sun Spots

When home treatments don’t work well enough, professional procedures can help target deeper sun damage and show quicker results. Here are the most effective options:

1. Laser Skin Resurfacing

The procedure of laser resurfacing eliminates the superficial layer of damaged skin, while also prompting the underlying layers to produce more collagen. It helps smooth out the skin, evens the tone, fades discolouration, and also makes the skin feel firmer.

UltraClear Laser in London is one of the most advanced and effective options available today. It uses cold fractional laser technology to resurface the skin with minimal heat, meaning less pain, less downtime, and faster recovery. It creates microscopic channels in the skin without damaging surrounding tissue. It stimulates collagen, improves texture, fades sun spots, and firms the skin.

2. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic therapy works at more than just the surface level. A light-sensitive medication is applied to your skin, then activated using a blue or red light. The light triggers a reaction that selectively destroys abnormal or precancerous cells without harming healthy skin.

PDT is especially useful for:

• Treating actinic keratosis (precancerous spots).
• Reducing sun damage across large areas like the face or scalp.

After treatment, your skin may feel like it has a sunburn for a few days. Depending on the intensity of the treatment, peeling and redness may last for up to two weeks.

3. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy unwanted skin cells. It’s a quick treatment often used for:

• Noncancerous age spots.
• Actinic keratosis (precancerous patches).

The frozen area darkens, then flakes off within a few days to a week, which reveals fresher skin underneath.

4. Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion technique uses a rotating device to gently sand off the damaged outer layer of skin. It is a more aggressive way to exfoliate. It’s usually done under local or general anaesthesia, depending on how deep the resurfacing goes.

Dermabrasion is ideal for:

• Deep wrinkles
• Sun spots and uneven skin tone
• Minor scars

It requires some recovery time, but the results can be dramatic once healing is complete.

5. Dermal Fillers and Injectables

While they don’t treat sun damage directly, dermal fillers help reverse the volume loss and fine lines that sun exposure can accelerate.

These are usually injected in-office with minimal downtime and provide instant or gradual results depending on the product.

6. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels involve applying an acid-based solution to the skin to safely exfoliate and remove its outer layers. The intensity of the peel determines how deeply it works, but in general, it can improve things like:

• Uneven pigmentation
• Rough texture
• Fine lines
• Dull skin tone

The three levels are deep, medium, and light. Light peels have little downtime, while deeper peels can require a week or more of recovery but offer more dramatic results.

7. Laser Therapy

Lasers like IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) penetrate the skin to break up pigmentation and stimulate collagen growth. They’re especially effective for:

• Sun spots and melasma
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Overall skin rejuvenation

These treatments often require multiple sessions. Some redness and peeling afterwards is normal, so plan for a bit of downtime.

8. Microneedling

Microneedling involves using fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These trigger your body’s natural healing response, leading to smoother, firmer skin over time.

Benefits include:

• Improved skin texture
• Reduction in fine lines
• Fading of mild pigmentation

For enhanced results, microneedling is often paired with PRP (platelet-rich plasma), which speeds healing and boosts collagen production.

9. Surgical Options (Facelift, Neck Lift, Brow Lift)

For advanced sun damage with significant sagging or deep wrinkles, surgical procedures may be the most effective route. These include:

Facelift: Removes and tightens sun-damaged, loose skin on the lower face and jawline.

Neck Lift: Targets crepey, UV-damaged skin under the chin and neck.

Brow Lift: Lifts drooping brows and smooths deep forehead lines caused by sun exposure.

These procedures offer long-lasting results but involve a longer recovery period. They’re usually considered when non-invasive options no longer provide enough improvement.

At-Home Treatments for Sun Damaged Skin

You don’t always need a dermatologist to start healing sun-damaged skin. These at-home treatments are affordable, easy to use & effective when done consistently.

1. Use Sunscreen Daily

This isn’t a treatment, it’s prevention. But it is the very first step in any sun damage repair plan. If you skip sunscreen, you’re wasting time and money on everything else.

Look for:

• SPF 30 or higher.
• Broad spectrum (UVA + UVB protection).
• Non-comedogenic if your skin is acne-prone.

Apply it every morning, even if it’s cloudy. Put it on again if you’re outside for over two hours.

2. Exfoliation

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, helping to fade dark spots and smooth rough texture. Use a gentle chemical exfoliant with ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). These acids dissolve dead skin and boost cell turnover. Exfoliate 2-3 times each week, but do not overdo it to avoid irritation and discomfort.

3. Retinoids

Retinoids, such as retinol and prescription tretinoin, are excellent for skin damaged by the sun. They help fade dark spots, soften fine lines, even out your skin tone & boost natural skin renewal. Start with a low-strength retinol cream at night, as it can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Always follow with sunscreen in the morning.

4. Vitamin C Serums

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps:

• Brighten dull skin
• Fade pigmentation
• fights free radicals caused by UV exposure
• Defend against future sun damage

It helps lighten excessive pigmentation and stimulates the production of collagen. Apply a vitamin C serum every morning before sunscreen for best results.

5. Hydration and Healing Ingredients

Ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides soothe and hydrate sun-damaged skin. They help restore moisture and calm irritation. Use a rich moisturiser or a soothing mask to lock in hydration.

6. Lightening Agents

If sun damage has left you with stubborn dark spots or uneven patches, lightening agents can help even things out.

Look for ingredients like:

• Niacinamide – gentle, works well for sensitive skin.
• Alpha Arbutin – reduces melanin production without irritation.
• Kojic Acid – naturally derived and effective, but can be a little strong.
• Licorice Root Extract – calming and brightening.

These don’t bleach your skin, they help fade excess pigment so your tone looks more even. You’ll need to use them consistently for at least 6 to 8 weeks to start seeing results. Pair with sunscreen or the spots may come right back.

7. Moisturisers

A good moisturiser does more than hydrate. It helps keep in place everything you’ve put on your skin before it, like serums and treatments, so they can work effectively.

Look for something fragrance-free and packed with nourishing ingredients. If you have oily skin, a lightweight gel cream works best. For dry or mature skin, go for a richer cream.

Use it morning and night, always after your serums or treatments. It’s one of the simplest ways to help damaged skin recover faster.

Final Thoughts 

Sun damage doesn’t go away overnight, but with the right care and treatments, your skin can look healthier, brighter, and more even. Start with daily sunscreen and build a routine that fits your skin’s needs. Add in professional treatments if you want faster or deeper results. Whether you choose simple products or advanced procedures, consistency is important. 

Frequently Asked Questions