What Age Does Sun Damage Start to Show?

Many of us know that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are one of the skin’s worst enemies. And despite this, a lot of us still bask in the sun a little too long or neglect sun protection, especially on cloudy days. We are not so concerned about the cumulative effects of UV damage, which in most cases, take years before becoming visible. 

How does the sun damage your skin?

One of the most notable effects of too much sun exposure is that it dries out the skin by depleting it of its natural oils and moisture. UV rays, furthermore, prematurely age your skin and cause DNA damage that can increase your risk of skin cancer. Below are the most common types of skin damage. 

• Sunburn – appears quickly after prolonged and unprotected UV exposure. Mild sunburn causes painful reddening and inflammation or skin that feels hot to touch, while severe cases cause fluid-filled blisters that may pop or peel to reveal tender skin underneath.
• Suntan – refers to the darkening of the skin due to sun exposure. Compared to darker skin, fairer skin has decreased self-protection in the sun and is therefore more likely to burn and susceptible to sun damage.
• Photoaging – is the premature aging of the skin due to exposure to UV radiation from the sun or artificial sources. Common signs of photoaging include spider veins (telangiectasia) on the face, loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, pigment changes, and thinning of the skin.
• Pigmentation changes – or uneven skin pigmentation is the skin’s way of protecting itself from the damaging effects of the sun. The skin creates more melanin or brown pigment that can alter the skin’s color, resulting in pigmentation, which may include:
  • Solar lentigines – are sometimes called liver spots or age spots. They appear as flat and darkened spots or patches due to UV-induced extra pigmentation.
  • Melasma – is a skin condition that causes large patches of skin pigmentation (usually appearing on the forehead and cheeks) due to sun damage and hormonal changes. It is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy and can get worse after sun exposure.
  • Freckles – can be inherited or occur due to sun damage. They are flat and circular and appear in clusters or areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face and forearms. It is common for freckles to become darker during the summer months.
• Actinic keratoses – are small, scaly patches of sun-damaged skin that have a reddish or brownish tint. These develop from years of sun exposure and are commonly found on the face, lips, forearms, scalp, neck, or back of hands. Actinic keratoses require treatment or removal by a physician.
• Increased risk of melanoma or other types of skin cancers – may happen due to repeated cases of sunburn and prolonged/unprotected UV exposure. Anyone can develop skin cancer, but some may have a higher risk, such as those with light skin, eyes, or hair, a history of sunburns, or a family history of skin cancers.

What age does sun damage start to show?

In some cases, like after a holiday or vacation, your skin may look tanned, dry, or flaky, especially with no or insufficient sun exposure. With sunburn, you may notice redness within three to four hours, and will reach its peak between 12 and 24 hours later. The redness, pain, and inflammation can keep developing after a couple of days.

With unprotected sun exposure, it can take about 10 to 20 years for sun damage to show up. So, if you enjoyed lots of unprotected sun exposure, you may start to see the effects of it in your 20s or early 30s.

Sun damage or photoaging happens in the dermis, the skin’s middle layer. This is why it can take years before the damage appears and becomes visible. As previously mentioned, it can show up sooner with early years of unprotected exposure and much later or less visible if you’re diligent with sun protection.

For further reading: 9 Ways to Up Your Sunscreen and Sun Protection Game  

Can you reverse sun damage?

Our aesthetic clinic in Singapore has skin rejuvenation procedures that stimulate the skin’s natural processes to reverse the effects of sun damage. 

Laser skin rejuvenation – This non-invasive procedure uses micro-pulses of laser energy that gently heat the upper dermis well below the skin surface. This also generates additional heat in dilated capillaries to address skin redness.

What laser skin rejuvenation does is stimulate collagen regrowth to improve both skin tone and texture. It also helps with the development of new skin cells, which restores the skin’s health, clarity, and youthfulness. Laser skin rejuvenation Singapore treatments can give you a glowing complexion by treating or improving:

• Sun damage
• Age spots, freckles, and unevenness
• Tiny facial veins
• Skin redness or rosacea
• Acne, acne scarring, and other types of scarring
• Other signs of aging (including fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores)

The recommended number of treatments to achieve optimal results is four to six. Initial improvements can be seen after one to two sessions, but full results take about three months to develop. The results can last six to 12 months and patients may need maintenance treatments to keep the results over time. 

Other treatments that can improve sun damage

• IPL Photo Facial – uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to treat freckles, brown spots, and uneven complexion.

• Laser skin resurfacing – removes the sun damaged layer portion to reveal healthy-looking skin with a pearly glow.
• VI Peel Precision Plus – is a chemical peel specifically formulated for treating sun damage, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
• Dermapen 4 microneedling with MG-Collection serums – professional microneedling paired with MG-BL can brighten and lighten unwanted pigmentation, while MG-RAS helps reverse signs of aging and scars.

How to prevent sun damage

It is all about protecting your skin from the sun and avoiding prolonged and unprotected sun exposure. Below are a few things that can help prevent sun damage.

• Wear sunscreen every day – Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen and make sure to wear it even when it’s not sunny. Apply liberally and reapply after sweating, swimming, or toweling.
• Avoid peak sun – Stay out of the sun or try not to have outdoor activities between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Seek shade – When outside, seek shade under a tree or a shelter. You can also use an umbrella when walking on a sunny day.
• Mind your outfit – Long-sleeved shirts and pants, as well as those made with tightly woven fabrics offer good protection from the sun. There are also clothing choices that are specifically manufactured to have UV protection. 
• Accessorize – Wear a wide-brimmed hat for added protection. Don’t forget your eyes; wear wrap-around sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

Book a consultation today

Dealing with signs of sun damage or looking to unveil a more glowing and youthful-looking complexion? Get in touch with us today! Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors.