Home Treatments Aesthetic Treatments Sun Damaged Skin Treatment

Sun Damaged Skin Treatment London

At a glance:

Sun Damaged Skin Treatment

Symptoms:

prematurely aged skin exhibits symptoms like fine and deep wrinkles, a sallow or yellow mottled appearance, thinning, dryness, fine broken capillaries, age spots, patchy hyperpigmentation, and in advanced cases, may include sun-related tumours and early or overt skin cancer

Diagnosis:

a comprehensive history of sun exposure and examination of the skin’s condition visually and with dermoscopy for focal lesions

Treatment:

depending on the level of damage may include dietary and lifestyle adjustments, sunscreen, topical chemotherapy, chemical peels, intense pulsed light (IPL), non-ablative laser (ResurFX) and ultrasonic treatment of the deep dermis (Ultherapy)

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

What is sun damage?

Sunshine is good for us as it helps with the synthesis of Vitamin D.

Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn, photoageing and tanning. It can also lead to pre-cancerous skin lesions and predispose to skin cancer.

Sun damage is caused by the harmful effects of ultraviolet (both UVA and UVB) radiation from the sun on the skin. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation without adequate protection can cause damage to skin cells, collagen proteins, and even DNA alterations and risk of skin cancer.

This damage can lead to various symptoms and cosmetic visible signs of sun damage, including prematurely aged skin with many fine wrinkles, deep wrinkles, rough texture alterations, pigment changes such as melasma and lentigines, a yellowing or sallow appearance, thinning of the epidermis with loss of elastin and collagen, fine telangiectasia, and patchy mottled appearance.

BOOK A CONSULTATION VIEW PRICES

Risk of skin cancer

Sun-damaged skin: acute sun burned skin can be painful
Sun-damaged skin tends to look older due to the thinning, dehydration, pigment changes, and wrinkles.
Sun-skin damage can also result in benign pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions, including basal papillomas and seborrhoeic keratosis.
Sun-damaged skin increases the risk of pre-cancerous skin lesions. Actinic Keratosis, known as AK (solar keratosis), is a common dry, scaly skin patch caused by many years of sun exposure with increased age. It is estimated that 23% of persons over 65 will develop AK.
Sun-damaged risks the development of pre-malignant and malignant skin tumours, particularly in cases of untreated Actinic Keratosis.
The most common sun-related skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SSC) and malignant melanoma (MM). It is estimated that up to 50% of fair-skinned persons over the age of 65 years will develop one skin cancer.
When pigmented, moles are known as pigmented naevi and are benign. However, they can transform into malignant melanoma (MM), a rare skin cancer. 25% of malignant melanoma starts as a mole and then becomes a cancerous skin condition.

Fair-skinned, red- or blond-haired persons with Fitzpatrick skin types I and II are more prone to sun-damaged skin, premature-aging skin with dyschromia and a dry, sallow appearance, seborrhoeic keratosis, actinic keratosis, and malignant skin cancers BCC, SSC, and MM. However, darker-skinned persons with brown eyes who are exposed to long periods of sun are also at risk of sun-damaged skin.

Since sun-damaged skin makes you look old and predisposes you to pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions, we naturally take sun-damaged skin seriously! We don´t want to look old (photoaging) and worn-out, nor do we want to have skin cancer, so we have to look after our skin.

Do I need Sun Damage Treatment?

Yes! If you notice any changes or burning on your skin, you should schedule a consultation for sun damage treatment. Clinica London offers expertise in sun damage skin treatment in London and offers a range of options tailored to your specific needs.

With a team of experienced dermatologists and ophthalmic plastic specialists, Clinica London can diagnose and analyse your skin condition to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. The extent of improvement will depend on the severity of the damage, the diagnosis and individual factors. Consult with Clinica’s dermatologists and ophthalmic plastic specialists for personalised advice and treatment options. At Clinica London, Dermatology and Oculoplastic Ophthalmology work very closely together, each contributing their specific expertise to provide the patient with optimal treatment.

Symptoms

Sun damage to the skin can manifest in various ways. Most people notice sun damage to their skin as they get older, occurring in sun-exposed areas such as the face, eyelids, neck, ears, backs of hands, upper back, backs of hands, and lower legs.

Symptoms and types of sun damage:

Premature wrinkling and skin thinning
Excessive dryness and sallow appearance
Fine broken capillaries
Age spots & patchy hyperpigmentation
Irritated red, rough skin
Solar lentigines and melasma
Waxy or warty flat or raised seborrheic keratoses

and

Change in appearance or feeling of moles
Other suspicious evolving skin lesions
Pre-cancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses with rough surface
Bowen disease – carcinoma spreads horizontally non invading
Skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous ceel carcinoma (SCC) and malignant melanoma (MM)

Sun damage affects individuals of all ages and can occur not only during sunbathing but also during most aspects of our daily lives, such as driving our cars, walking, outdoor sports, and gardening. Sun-damaged skin (UV skin damage) is caused not only on sunny days but also on cloudy days all year round. Both UVA and UVB contribute to skin ageing and skin cancer.

Diagnosis

During the examination, you must provide your history of sun exposure, including any time spent living abroad or working outdoors. Our consultant will inquire about any family history of malignant skin tumours, such as basal cell carcinoma, and known dermatological conditions. The dermatology specialist will examine the affected areas of skin, whether it be the face, neck, decolletage, chest, back, limbs, etc.

The ophthalmic plastic specialist will assess your periorbital area and face for fine wrinkles, deep lines, skin elasticity, and skin quality, including skin discolouration such as melasma and lentigines. They will also evaluate other signs of ageing, such as brow or eyelid drooping, mid-face descent, malar bags, and dermatochalasis. The face is particularly exposed to sun damage, especially for skin types I and II, using the Fitzpatrick skin prototyping. (Range Skin Type I fair to Skin Type VI, very dark).

Bringing along photographs of your face from when you were younger can help your specialist plan your treatment.

How is Sun Damaged Skin Treated?

Sun-damaged skin can be greatly improved with a multimodal treatment approach.

The aims are:

Cosmetic

Have overall better quality skin, which looks younger and healthier.

Medical

Focus directly on specific sun-related skin lesions, which may be benign but unsightly or suspicious of a pre-cancerous or cancerous lesion.

Depending on your skin and its level of damage, the treatments to improve sun-damaged skin include:

CREAMS AND PEELS

Sun protection: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF providing effective protection against UVA and UVB rays. For the face use a light consistency sunscreen which does not sting the eyes when applied lightly all over the face. There are excellent sunscreens available that are light and do not make you look white like Casper the Ghost but are more akin to a daily moisturiser. Always look for broad spectrum against UVA and UVB and apply daily to the face and backs of hands.

Use sunscreen with additional protection, including hats, umbrellas, and car window protection, and avoid high sunshine between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Learn how to put on sunscreen correctly. Sunscreen should be applied every day, all seasons, as sun damage can occur on cloudy days and in winter in the Northern Hemisphere, including on the lips, neck and ears.

Topical prescription retinol cream: This cream or gel treats photo-aged skin, fine wrinkles, and discolouration. It can improve the appearance of the skin, increase collagen production, and provide a healthier and more youthful glow.

Chemical peels: TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels, with a concentration of 20-30%, can help reverse solar lentigines, improve skin texture, and reduce fine wrinkles. They provide a superficial-depth epithelial peel.

LIGHT TREATMENTS

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Intense pulsed light is a non-laser light treatment used for redness and pigmentation on the face and hands for age changes and sun-damaged skin. IPL can also be used on focal lesions such as Seborrheic Keratoses, which are both age and sun-related, and sun spots and solar lentiges.

LASER ResurFX: This non-ablative laser is suitable for rejuvenating sun-damaged skin, smoothing and improving facial dyschromia and fine wrinkles, and improving the tired, sallow look of sun-damaged skin. It is called a non-ablative laser because the depth of treatment and downtime are much less than those of an ablative laser.

ULTRASONIC TIGHTENING

Ultherapy is an FDA-approved nonsurgical facelift that tightens and elevates skin. It increases collagen and tightens and reduces wrinkles caused by sun damage. However, it does not address dyschromia or sun spots.

In addition to these treatments, various other options are available, such as diet, lifestyle adjustments, chemical peels, hyaluronate fillers, biostimulation injections (Sculptra), antiwrinkle injections, ProfHilo injections (liquid moisturiser), eyelid oculoplastic surgery, blepharoplasty, and an incisional or excisional biopsy of sun-related skin tumours.

A comprehensive approach to sun-damaged skin treatment often includes a combination of these methods, along with daily sunscreen use and regular follow-up care. Consulting with a dermatologist or ophthalmic plastic surgeon can help you determine the most suitable treatment plan for your needs.

Preparing for your procedure

Before undergoing treatment for sun-damaged skin, it is recommended to minimise sun exposure and protect the skin from UV radiation by wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF regularly.

Always make sure to inform your dermatologist about any medications or supplements you are taking, as some may need to be temporarily discontinued before the procedure.

Similarly, do not use harsh or irritating skincare products, such as retinol creams or exfoliants, except under the guidance of your dermatologist or ophthalmic plastic surgeon.

What can I expect if I get sun-damaged skin treatment?

After sun-damaged skin treatment, always ensure proper aftercare to optimise results and promote healing. Think of prevention of further sun damage.

Continue to minimise sun exposure and regularly use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 – 50 against UVA and UVB. This will help prevent further damage and maintain the results of your treatment. Keep your skin well-hydrated using a moisturiser recommended by your dermatologist or oculoplastic surgeon. This will help restore and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier.

Always make sure to attend any scheduled follow-up appointments with your dermatologist or ophthalmic plastic specialist to monitor your progress and address any concerns or questions you may have. Proactively protecting your skin from sun damage is key to preventing premature ageing, wrinkles, and the risk of skin cancers.

Prevention

To protect your skin from sun damage, always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 – 50. Apply it generously to all exposed skin, including your face, neck, and hands. Reapply every two hours or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating.

Limit your time in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours when the sun’s rays are strongest. Seek shade under umbrellas or trees, or wear protective clothing.

How can I reduce my risk of skin cancer?

Some medications, such as oral antibiotics and acne treatments, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to understand if any medications you’re taking may increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.

Incorporating these protective measures into your daily routine will help you significantly reduce your risk of sun damage and maintain healthier skin.

OUR CONSULTANTS

Sun-damage skin treatments at Clinica London are shared between the Consultant Medical Dermatologist, Dr Jennifer Crawley, and the Ophthalmic Plastic (Oculoplastic) surgeons, Miss Jane Olver and Miss Michelle Ting.

Dr Jennifer Crawley specialises in medical dermatology for both children and adults. With her expertise, Dr Crawley provides comprehensive and personalised care to her patients, addressing general dermatology and skin cancer. She carries out incisional and excisional biopsies of lesions. Dr Crawley specialises in moles that are changing and treatment of general limbs and trunk, scalp and neck, suspicious skin lesions with liquid Nitrogen cryotherapy and surgery.

Miss Olver and Miss Ting are oculoplastic surgeons who provide specific advice on rejuvenating sun-damaged skin in the periorbital area (the eyelids and around the eyes), the face, and neck, as well as injectables and oculoplastic surgery. The main treatments for sun-damaged skin include light treatments with IPL and LASER. Ultherapy also helps fine wrinkles and tightens and elevates them as a non-surgical facelift.

Services by the Oculoplastic Surgeons:

Advice on rejuvenation creams and chemotherapy lesions
Chemical peels rejuvenation
Anti-wrinkle injections
Various hyaluronate filler and biostimulation injections
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
LASER treatment with ResurFX
Ultherapy for sun-damaged skin
Oculoplastic incisional biopsy or excisional biopsy suspicious sun-cause lesions to exclude skin cancer on the face and around the eyes

Dr Jennifer Crawley

Consultant Dermatologist
Children & Adults

Miss Jane Olver

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Oculoplastic (Eyelid) & Lacrimal Specialist
Medical Director
President International Society Dacryology and Dry Eye 2024-2026

Ms Michelle Ting

Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr Rebeca Calado

Consultant Dermatologist
Children & Adults
Specialist in Dermatovenereology

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

Pricing

The consultation fee for a new patient consultation with our Consultant Dermatologist or one of our Ophthalmic Plastic Consultants (Oculoplastics), who specialise in ageing and sun-damaged skin, is £300 – £350.

Each patient receives a bespoke treatment plan and quotes for treatment, a comprehensive report, plus specific information sheets.

Treatment	Price range
Treatment creams	£70 – £95
IPL per treatment	£350 – £600
ResurFX LASER (per treatment)	£350 – £900
Ultherapy (depending on the surface area treated)	£960 – £4800
Incisional Biopsy / Excision of lesion (excludes histopathology)	£550 – £1750
A personalised treatment quote will be given

Initial consultation fees are not included.

Sun damaged skin FAQS

Various treatments can help improve the appearance and health of sun-damaged skin. These treatments may include topical creams, chemical peels, intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment and non-ablative LASER therapy.

However, the extent of improvement will depend on the severity of the damage and individual factors. It is always best to consult a dermatologist or skincare professional for personalised advice and treatment options.

UVA and UVB broad spectrum shine through clouds and damage the skin even on a cloudy day will cause skin ageing, in the absence of tanning.

No, the skin does not need to burn to cause sun damage. Sun damage can occur even without visible signs of burning. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to cumulative damage to the skin over time, resulting in premature ageing, wrinkles, sun spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Award Winning Clinic in London

Clinica London is a leading ophthalmology and dermatology medical clinic. It has a sense of passion for helping patients. The clinic’s consultants are highly skilled professionals who have received British, European, and international awards in their respective fields. Clinica is honest and offers transparent treatment advice in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

BOOK A CONSULTATION