PROVEN Team
PROVEN Team includes Stanford scientists and dermatologists who combine their expertise with cutting-edge technology to bring you the best for your skin.
Sun Damaged Skin: A Science Backed Approach
UV rays taking a toll on your skin? Science may have a solution. Read on to learn all about sun damaged skin.
Resource by: PROVEN Team
Sun Damaged Skin
The skin has multiple ways of protecting itself from environmental stressors, and when it comesto the sun's UV radiation, it ramps up melanin production. It is the pigment that gives your hairand skin its color. This extra melanin is what makes you look bronzed-- or beet red-- after a dayspent outdoors. As fantastic as a deep tan looks, there is nothing inherently healthy about it.Overexposure to the sun's warming rays is a path toward prematurely aged skin.
The basics of sun damaged skin
Sunlight stimulates the production of Vitamin D and promotes a general feeling of well-being.But too much exposure to ultraviolet light causes damage to both the superficial and deeplayers of skin. Dermatologists use the terms photodamaged, photoaged, and sun-damagedinterchangeably. No matter what you call it-- it takes a serious toll on your skin.In fact, research shows that UV exposure is responsible for up to 80 percent of the skin agingprocess. When unprotected skin is bombarded with ultraviolet radiation, DNA changes occur ata cellular level. The results-- fine lines, sagging skin, and hyperpigmentation-- can age you wellbeyond your actual years. We all want to care for the skin that we're in, and since avoiding thesun altogether is not realistic, we must look to other ways to limit the long-term effects of sunexposure.
What Causes Sun Damage?
While the obvious answer to this question is sunlight, there is a little bit more complexity to it. In particular the different variations of ultraviolet rays and the exact type of damage that they cause. These are the two kinds of ultraviolet light:
Nearly 95% of the UV rays that make it through the ozone layer are UVA rays. Even though the energy level of UVA rays is lower, the wavelength is higher. This means that they will penetrate the skin more deeply and affects all layers of skin and the cells located in them. The effects of UVA rays will be hard to notice at first, maybe a light darkening of skin or mild sunburn, but they are the main cause of premature aging and create wrinkles long term. UVA rays are the main type of light that is used in tanning beds.
Only around 5% of the UV rays that make it through the ozone layer are UVB rays. Due to having a shorter wavelength than UVA rays, UVB rays typically only damage the outer layers of skin. However, because of their higher level of energy they can do the most damage. UVB rays are responsible for most types of skin cancers and whenever you experience a sunburn, it is mostly due to an overexposure of UVB and direct sunlight.
The best way to avoid sun damage is to avoid these rays. The sun is at its peak between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so avoid spending too much time outside during this time. Also, keep an eye of your area’s UV ray index and avoid higher ratings. This is the way the UV ray index breaks down:
- 0-2 is a minimal risk and will take 60 minutes of exposure to be sunburned
- 2-4 is a low risk and will take 45 minutes of exposure to be sunburned
- 4-6 is a moderate risk and will take 30 minutes of exposure to be sunburned
- 6-10 is a high risk and will take 15 minutes of exposure to be sunburned
- 10-15 is a very high risk and will take 10 minutes of exposure to be sunburned
Skin Types Experience Different Types of Sun Damage
While everyone can experience sun damage, depending on skin type it may appear in different ways. For example, lighter skin types are more prone to wrinkles whereas darker skin types are more likely to experience dark patches. There are six phototypes, or skin colors:
- Type 1 are pale skinned with lightly colored eyes and blond or red hair. This type always burns and never tans.
- Type 2 are fair skinned with lightly colored eyes. This type will burn easily but might tan occasionally.
- Type 3 are medium light skinned. This type will initially burn but develop a tan from it.
- Type 4 are light brown skinned. This type will tan but experience a mild burning.
- Type 5 are medium brown skinned. This type will tan relatively easy and very rarely burn.
- Type 6 are dark brown or black skinned. This type will tan very easily and never burn.
Signs of sun damage on face
Everyone is susceptible to sun damage on the face and body, but the amount and type of damage will hinge on hereditary factors, skin type, climate, and location. Signs of sun damaged skin on the face can include:
- Solar lentigines (age or sunspots)
- Hyperpigmentation
- Fines lines and wrinkles
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Melasma
- Blotchy skin/uneven pigmentation
- Rough, scaly patches known as Actinic keratosis
- Permanent erythema
- Dilated blood vessels, also known as "spider veins"
- Rough texture
- Parched skin
- Skin cancers
Can you reverse UV damage to skin?
If you spent too many summers with a bronze ambition and are now paying the price, there isno time like the present to start some serious rehabbing-- and it all begins with sun protectionand your skincare routine. Wearing a protective sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays isessential. Wide-brimmed hats are a bonus but no replacement for a sunblock that prevents thesun's radiation from reaching your skin. It’s important to remember that the best treatment is always prevention.
Once the unwelcome signs of sun damage are present, there are powerful topical agents thatcan reduce their appearance by speeding the repair process, promoting collagen production,and boosting your skin's defenses against free radicals.
If you are attempting to help address sun damage at home, you should look for products that contain:
- Azelaic acid: Often used as a treatment for acne, this antioxidant slows the production of melanin and can be used to lighten up dark spots.
- Alpha hydroxy acids: Not to be used frequently, but glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid are all used as exfoliants that can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, redness, and blemishes.
- Niacinamide: Available in most moisturizers, this version of the B-3 vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and hyperpigmentation.
- Retinoids: This derivative of vitamin A is used in a large variety of anti aging products and is renowned for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lighten pigmentation.
- Vitamin C: Effective as an after-option or preventative measure, vitamin C is an excellent way to naturally block damage from the sun and the free radicals it creates.
For extreme cases of sun damage, it may be best to consult with a dermatologist. They may recommend undergoing a medical treatment to better repair the damage. The most popular and effective options include chemical peels, cryotherapy, intense pulsed light therapy, and microneedling.
Customized skincare for sun damaged skin
PROVEN skincare plans are formulated based on 47 factors about your skin genome withclinically established ingredients that protect against UV stress. Take this quick skin quiz for apersonalized skincare routine that can successfully rehab photoaged skin.
Here Is Why Personalized Skincare Is Better
Personalized skincare comes with a host of benefits
  |   | |
|---|---|---|
| Formulated and made-to-order for you | No | |
| Targeting your unique Acne needs | No | |
| Optimized for your lifestyle + environment | No | |
| Easy 3-step system for all your skin needs | No | |
| Made by Stanford scientists and AI tech | No |
OUR TEAM
We're industry leaders in skincare
Dr. Yuan is a Computational Physicist from Stanford University
Proven co-founder, Dr. Amy Yuan, fixed her skincare woes by using her computer science background to analyze the effectiveness of more than 20,238 skincare ingredients, 100,000 products, 20 million testimonials, and more than 4,000 scientific journal articles. Now she is applying that to create the perfect skincare for you.
Your Skin Routine In 3 Simple Steps
Your Personalized Cleanser
Ensures any dirt from the day is removed to reveal glowing, healthy and fresh feeling skin
Your Personalized Day Moisturizer
Helps prevent the skin from drying out, while targeting other issues you may have.
Your Personalized Night Cream
Restores elasticity and delivers intensive nourishment to repair, plump and firm skin while you get your beauty sleep.
