Sun damage symptoms and causes
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What is sun damage?
Sun damage or photoageing is a premature ageing of your skin. It is a result of excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) radiation. These radiations may be emitted from the sun or in artificial sources like sun lamps or tanning beds.
Exposure to UV radiation can accelerate your skin’s ageing process and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Sunburn is painful, red, and feels hot when touched. Peeling will occur after a few days.
Small, flat, or brownish spots on the face that occur after prolonged and unprotected sun exposure.
Sun exposure can make the skin feel scaly and rough, or even bumpy when it is touched.
Age spots or liver spots are small, dark patches on the skin that appear due to prolonged exposure to the sun.
Your skin colour will change after a long exposure to the sun. It is an indication that your skin has been damaged by the sun.
Consider visiting your doctor if you experience signs of sun damage like changes in your moles or skin spots, like changes in colour, or if they continue to grow bigger. If you notice scaly or dry patches on your skin, if you feel severe pain and swelling with your sunburn. Lastly, if the areas with sun damage have redness and puss, or if you are experiencing a high fever after sunburn.
Severe sun damage is not good for your skin and overall health. It may result in more severe conditions, like skin cancer. It is best to consult your doctor immediately to address the issues and prevent the deadly “Big C”.
Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun’s UV radiation causes damage to the skin. UVA sun’s rays break down elastin and collagen by penetrating deeper into the skin, while UVB rays can damage the DNA and cause sunburns by affecting the epidermis.
UV exposure can cause premature ageing and the development of skin cancers.
Certain people are more prone to sun damage, including:
Too much sun exposure can make our skin age quickly. UV rays can make the skin dry leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and a sagging skin appearance.
Our skin can be severely damaged if remain unprotected from UV rays. Sunburn, dark spots, melasma, or freckles may occur in the face and different parts of the body exposed to the sun.
Harmful UV rays can greatly damage our eyes leading to eye issues like cataracts. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses when getting outside.
Too much sun exposure may cause skin cancer like melanoma. It is crucial that we protect our skin by using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher or wearing protective clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.
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Broad-spectrum sunscreen can help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It works by blocking both UVA and UVB rays, preventing sunburn, and reducing long-term damage. It can protect all types of skin.
Limit time outdoors
Avoid scheduling your outdoor activities from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm as the sun is in intense heat. It is best to go outside early in the morning or late afternoon.
There are products containing SPF that are readily available in the market. Products like foundation, lip balm, or body lotions usually contain SPF.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking lots of water is good for your skin’s health. Staying hydrated will help your skin become strong and heal faster once exposed to the sun.
Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiation that can severely damage the skin. It can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, can contribute to premature ageing, as well as eye damage.
Wear protective clothing
If you can’t avoid getting out on time when the sun is intense, aside from applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF), you can also wear protective gear like clothes with long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
Foods rich in antioxidant properties can help protect your skin from sun damage by reducing the harmful effects of free radicals. Foods containing Vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene can help boost skin defence against UV radiation. It can also promote skin repair by stimulating collagen production.
Use antioxidant products
Vitamins C and E can also be found in different skin care products. Using those products can also help fight free radicals that are caused by harmful UV rays.
If you have fair or light skin tone and have been sunburned previously, you are at high risk of sun damage. Old people are at risk because their skin is more sensitive to UV rays if your family has a history of skin cancer, and if you are living in a geographical location.
Visit your dermatologist
A regular visit to your dermatologist will help you assess your skin’s vulnerability to sun damage. They may also advise what are the right products to use for sun-exposed skin.

Siobhan Shaw
Responsive and helpful
9th September 2026
Felix Gabriel Mance
Very good consultation with dr Tee
9th September 2026

Emma Shakeshaft
Great experience at Harley Street Skin.
7th September 2026
Hazael Wihanto
Really quick and straightforward
7th September 2026
Camilla Alge
Super frieny
7th September 2026

Lorena Fernandez
Amazing! Skin looks radiant after water peel.
24th August 2026

A Zul
Dr Tee was excellent with me thanks you ✨
19th August 2026
Finn Jennings
Great Millia removal by Rose
17th August 2026

Chris Wilson
Rose was excellent, high quality treatment.
18th August 2026
Leo M
Great service and helpful explanation from Dr Tee and team
18th August 2026
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