What is the best treatment for years of sun damage on arms? (photo)

Question

Hyperpigmentation, dark spots, etc.

Mark Berkowitz, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Our cosmetic nurse reviewed your case and states treating sun-damaged skin involves a combination of prevention, at-home care, and professional treatments depending on the severity of the damage. The first and most important step is prevention—daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is essential, even on cloudy days. Wearing protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses, and avoiding peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. can also help prevent further damage. For mild sun damage, including dullness, dryness, and uneven tone, at-home treatments can be very effective. Ingredients like retinoids or retinol promote cell turnover and help smooth texture and fade discoloration. Vitamin C serums can brighten the skin and repair oxidative stress, while niacinamide helps reduce redness and even out skin tone. Gentle exfoliants like AHAs (e.g., glycolic or lactic acid) remove dead skin cells and improve radiance, while BHAs (e.g., salicylic acid) are useful if you're acne-prone. Hydrating moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides can also help restore the skin barrier.

For more moderate to severe sun damage, such as deep wrinkles, dark spots, and rough texture, professional treatments may be necessary. Chemical peels, laser therapies like fractional lasers or IPL (intense pulsed light), microneedling, and microdermabrasion can all improve tone, texture, and pigmentation with noticeable results. In some cases, prescription-strength retinoids such as tretinoin may be recommended for more aggressive skin repair. Supporting your skin from the inside out with a healthy, antioxidant-rich diet and staying well hydrated also contributes to long-term skin health. Overall, the best approach depends on your skin type and the extent of the damage, but a consistent skincare routine combined with preventive habits can significantly improve the appearance and health of sun-damaged skin.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your concerns and photo. Based on the visible signs of chronic sun damage — including hyperpigmentation, lentigines (sun spots), and overall skin texture changes — here are some treatment options that can help improve your skin’s appearance and health:

Topical Treatments:
Prescription Retinoids (e.g., Tretinoin): Promote skin cell turnover, reduce pigmentation, and improve texture.

Hydroquinone or Other Brightening Agents (e.g., Azelaic Acid, Vitamin C, Kojic Acid): Target dark spots and uneven pigmentation.

Topical 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU): In cases of actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous spots), this may be prescribed to remove damaged skin cells.

In-Office Dermatologic Procedures:
Chemical Peels: Improve skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.

Laser Therapy (e.g., IPL or Fraxel): Targets pigmentation and sun damage at deeper levels.

Cryotherapy: Used to remove individual sun spots or precancerous lesions.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): Can treat sun-damaged skin with signs of actinic keratosis.

Supportive Care:
Daily Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen (SPF 50+): Essential to prevent further sun damage and protect your skin during treatment.

Moisturizers with Antioxidants: Help repair the skin barrier and combat oxidative stress from UV exposure.

It's important to stay consistent with sun protection and skincare, as sun damage accumulates over time. A combination of treatments often yields the best results.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

Instead of a more aggressive lasers with longer downtimes, you may want to consider PicoSure PRO. PicoSure PRO effectively diminishes hyperpigmentation, dark spots, uneven skin tone and texture, as well as fine lines. It delivers the laser energy in picoseconds, a trillionth of a second, to target the pigmented lesions reducing injury surrounding skin tissue making it for all skin types and tones. Based on your photo, you may be a good candidate for PicoSure PRO!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You will likely have the best results from a combination of treatments.  Begin by visiting an aesthetician for a skin analysis.  IPL treatments will address current hyperpigmentation.  Products can also be recommended to optimize your results.   Daily sunscreen use will help protect against further damage.

Barbara Padilla, MD · Answer

We recommend Photos Genesis Skin Therapy, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for areas of hyperpigmentation from sun damage. The light is selectively absorbed by the pigmented spots. The rapid heating of these cells causes the therapeutic effect. We recommend 2-4 treatments 4-6 weeks apart.

What is the best treatment for years of sun damage on arms? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Hyperpigmentation

Answer: Hyperpigmentation

Answer: Intense Pulsed Light.

Answer: Intense Pulsed Light.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Skin Rejuvenation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What is the best treatment for years of sun damage on arms? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Hyperpigmentation

Answer: Hyperpigmentation

Answer: Intense Pulsed Light.

Answer: Intense Pulsed Light.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Skin Rejuvenation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.