How to Treat Sun Damaged Skin and Still Enjoy the Sun

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Jordana Gilman, MD
Question viewed 1,364 times
Tags: sun damage, sun protection, sun spots, tanning

HELP - I'm 45 with minimal wrinkles but have the dreaded sun spots. They are not bad but being a blonde with fair skin and not exactly wearing a ton of make-up, they are bothersome. I'm also a runner and really enjoy spending my time outdoors. Hate hats, wear sun block & glasses - not a sun worshiper but I definitely don't hide from it. Heres my question - I'm so afraid of spending 'x' amount of money to have the Fraxel only to be disappointed - making the spots worse by doing the things I enjoy!?! Any advice?

7 answers to How to Treat Sun Damaged Skin and Still Enjoy the Sun

Use IPL for sun spots

Certainly you can't have it both ways and be in the sun and then erase the effects and then repeat. It just doesn't work that way. Start to wear hats, continue with the sun screens and use IPL to treat the spots. If you are 45 and don't break this cycle, you really won't like what your skin looks like at 55.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Treating sun spots in a sun lover

You need to be honest with yourself about how willing you are to protect your skin from the sun. Don't waste your time and money treating your sun damage if you are not going to start protecting yourself from the sun. You don't have to stay home and hide and stop doing the things you love, but you do need to adapt your behaviors in order to minimize the damage to your skin. Wear SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, one with avobenzone and zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and wear a hat. Try to do... more

Jordana Gilman, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Topical Retinoid prior to Fractionated Laser Resurfacing for Sun Damaged Skin

Daily sun protection is the foundation of all cosmetic concerns as you will lose much of the benefits from a variety of aesthetic modalities that are available. While there are many options to reverse some of the damage caused by prior sun exposure, e.g. IPL, microdermabrasion, TCA chemical peels, the most effective short-term and long-term treatment involves application of topical retinoid (such as Retin-A, Atralin, Tazorac) before and after Fractional CO2 Laser resurfacing. This approach... more

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

Don't do Fraxel if you can't protect your skin from sundamage

If you can't protect your skin, or choose not to, then you should not have an expensive laser treatment. I would have you try to do your outdoor activities very early or late. Use an inorganic and organic sunscreen ( a U.V. "A" and "B" sunscreen, one that contains a photostable UV A blocker such as Helioplex, as well as a titanium dioxide / zinc oxide mineral-based sunblock which would be applied over the sunscreen). If you use a high number block, and get treated in a... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Consider IPL

First we need to be realistic. If you are continually exposed to the sun, you will continue to experience further sun damage. The best advice I have: maximize your sun protection when outdoors. Hate hats? Learn to love them. Use sun bock (SPF 30 or greater), and reapply frequently. Treatments for sun damage; Given your frequent exposure to the sun, I would recommend procedures with less down time and which are less expensive. Intense Pulse Light is the best solution, but will require... more

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

Try Triluma first

I think it is very important to get exercise and be active, even if it means a little sun damage. It is not worth spending a lot of money on procedures, however, if you continue to get the sun damage. It sounds like you are being as careful as you can be using sunscreen and hats, but are you using an antioxidant? Are you taking oral anti-oxidants? Is your SPF at least 50? These ideas will help a lot. I'd also try Triluma for 6 months to see how much improvement you get, then talk to your... more

Mary Lupo, MD
New Orleans Dermatologist