How to repair sun-damaged skin?

You have probably heard it before: it is best to avoid sun exposure between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. During this time, the sun is at its peak and ultraviolet radiation is at its most intense. But what exactly happens when you are exposed anyway?

UV rays, particularly UVA rays, penetrate deep into the dermis and break down collagen and elastin, causing significant structural damage. UVB rays, although less penetrating, are responsible for sunburn. They can also disrupt the balance of the epidermis, cause direct DNA damage, accelerate premature skin aging, and contribute to the formation of pigmentation spots.

Skin damaged by the sun typically shows early signs of imbalance and structural alteration. The main symptoms include:

Pigmentation spots: Also known as lentigines, these spots appear when the skin produces excess melanin to protect itself after UV exposure. These spots, usually brown in color, may become more pronounced over time if the skin continues to be exposed without proper sun protection.

Skin laxity: UV exposure causes irreversible cellular damage. It inhibits the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. Prolonged exposure over several years without adequate protection can lead to visible skin sagging.

Visible veins: Collagen and elastin not only maintain skin elasticity but also contribute to skin density. When UV rays degrade these structures, the epidermis becomes thinner and more fragile. As a result, veins become more visible over time. Sun exposure can also cause dilation of small blood vessels (capillaries), leading to the appearance of telangiectasia (small purplish veins often visible on the face or legs).

Skin dryness: Prolonged sun exposure can lead to dehydration by thickening the skin and disrupting the hydrolipidic barrier. When this protective barrier is compromised, the skin is no longer able to retain moisture effectively, resulting in significant dryness. Thickened skin also prevents sebum from flowing normally and reduces the penetration of active skincare ingredients. This chain of effects leads to severe dryness and overall deterioration in skin quality.

As a first step, pigmentation spots can be addressed with skincare products tailored to your skin’s needs.

Start by using

such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid. These help remove pigmented dead skin cells through controlled exfoliation.

Next, apply

containing antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, or ferulic acid to neutralize free radicals responsible for stimulating melanin production. Finally, targeted anti-dark spot products can help to reduce existing pigmentation by accelerating skin renewal. Our

is specifically formulated to target pigmentation at its source. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly and helps reduce the appearance of spots, brighten and even out skin tone, and helps to protect the skin against photoaging.

Formulated with clinically proven ingredients such as niacinamide and phytic acid, this serum slows melanin synthesis, limits oxidative discoloration, and helps prevent the recurrence of spots.

Using acids such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or trichloroacetic acid,

create controlled exfoliation of the epidermis. This process removes superficial layers of the skin where melanin accumulates.

In addition, peels stimulate cell renewal and promote the production of collagen and elastin, improving skin elasticity, firmness, and density.

precisely target melanin responsible for pigmentation spots, gradually breaking down pigment deposits without damaging surrounding tissue.

Beyond correcting pigmentation, these technologies stimulate the skin’s natural regeneration processes, enhancing cell turnover and collagen production. Over time, the skin becomes smoother, firmer, and more even-toned, revealing a clearer and more radiant complexion.

Primarily recommended for persistent pigmentation, medical depigmenting treatments offer several benefits.

They inhibit tyrosinase, a key enzyme involved in melanin production. They also block the transfer of melanin to the skin surface and accelerate cell turnover to eliminate pigmented cells more effectively.

Hydration plays a key role in restoring sun-damaged skin. First, it strengthens the skin barrier, helping to reduce water loss and inflammation caused by UV exposure.

It also supports faster skin repair when combined with active ingredients that stimulate cell renewal and exfoliation.

Finally, proper hydration helps maintain skin elasticity and prevents sagging associated with photoaging.

To prevent new pigmentation, it is essential to protect your skin from sun exposure every day. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen daily, both in summer and winter, even when it is cloudy, as UV rays penetrate clouds.

To ensure proper coverage, apply a line of sunscreen along four fingers and use that amount for your face. The ideal quantity is approximately 2 mg per cm². Reapply every two hours or after swimming.

When exposed to UV rays, the skin undergoes oxidative stress, which stimulates melanocytes and increases tyrosinase activity, resulting in excess melanin production.

Antioxidants help interrupt this chain reaction by neutralizing free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of pigmentation.

Unfortunately, no. Sun-induced pigmentation can fade with appropriate treatments but rarely disappears completely.

This is because spots develop when excess melanin accumulates in response to UV exposure. Pigment deposits can settle in both superficial and deeper layers of the skin, making them difficult to eliminate entirely.

Sun spots are typically smaller, light to dark brown spots that appear on sun-exposed areas. They result from increased melanin production triggered by UV exposure.

Age spots, on the other hand, are usually larger, flatter, and darker. They appear later in life, typically after age 50, due to slower cell turnover. Melanin becomes unevenly distributed, resulting in visible pigmentation.