Sun damage is very common during the summer. Sunbathing is enjoyable and has benefits such as a load of vitamin D. Yet, without sunscreen, you risk sun damage. This article is a guide on the best ways to get rid of sun damage with different options.

You can get rid of sun spots on the skin using home remedies such as aloe vera, honey, and lemon juice. Other than natural remedies, professional anti-aging treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatment can also get rid of sun damage. Newer treatment options such as ultherapy can also remove sun spots.

These are discussed below in detail.

Treatment Options for Sun Damage

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) sun rays usually leads to weakening of the skin. Sunbathing without applying sunscreen can leave you with brown spots on your skin. Dermatologists also warn that sun exposure risks precancers such as actinic keratosis.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the brown spots. Prolonged exposure to UV rays usually causes stubborn, deep-lying brown spots. These take intensive treatment methods to get rid of.

Here are effective options for getting rid of sun damage on the skin.

1. Home remedies

Treating sun spots at home does not give overnight results. But with consistent application, you can visibly fade the marks. Here are the most common home remedies for sun damage.

• Vitamin E and C diet: This vitamin is good for protecting the skin against the damaging strength of the sun. Vitamin C is also important in strengthening skin cells. This slows down the aging process. Apply vitamin E oil on your skin and include rich sources of vitamin C in your diet.
• Aloe vera: An extract of aloe vera contains aloesin and aloin. These compounds have a skin lightening effect. Applying a small amount of aloe vera extract on the face will help soothe inflammation caused by the sun. It will also lighten brown sun spots if used consistently.
• Honey: A common presence on kitchen cabinets, honey is a great ingredient for many skin issues. It has a bleaching effect on blemishes and can be used to treat sun damage at home. Some effective recipes combine honey and milk to get rid of sun damage on the face.

There are a lot more natural treatments for sunburn spots on the skin. Lemon juice, green tea, buttermilk, and apple cider vinegar are all great treatments. Adding one of these to your skin care routine can get rid of brown spots on your face.

Home remedies are not fast acting. Treatments such as chemical peels and laser therapy can clear sunspots much faster.

Microdermabrasion

This is a gentle skin scrubbing treatment procedure. A special applicator is used to remove the uppermost layer of the skin that contains dead cells. This layer also contains cells damaged by the sun that cause a brownish pigmentation.

A single session of microdermabrasion lasts about 30 minutes. There’s little to no pain, but the results are visible immediately. Deep sunspots may take several microdermabrasion treatments to get rid of.

Laser treatment

Laser therapy is the best skin treatment for deep-lying sunspots on the face. A laser device is used to direct and concentrate beams of light at the damaged cells. This removes the unwanted cells to allow new cells to grow in their place.

The healing process takes a few weeks, meaning that results will start to show gradually rather than overnight. Laser treatment for skin problems is usually very costly. It is, however, reliable in treating fine wrinkles, dark and brown spots, and saggy skin.

Ultherapy (Specialized Ultrasound)

Surgical treatments for sun damage work well. But, there are those who prefer non-surgical options. Ultherapy is one such method that is used to treat various skin and aging problems.

It is an FDA-approved anti-aging treatment procedure that is noninvasive. Clinics such as MedSpa NYC apply the use of Ultherapy devices to stimulate the deep structural support layers of the skin. These include those usually targeted in a surgical facelift. The aim is to stimulate these cells to renew without disturbing the surface area.

With time, the treatment stimulates the skin to produce new cells that displace those damaged by the sun. It can take a few weeks to 6 months to be able to get rid of sun spots on your face.

Studies have shown that ultherapy can tighten loose skin and clear blemishes to achieve a youthful look. You should, however, expect a little tingling, swelling, and bruising during treatment.

Chemical peels

Peels work by removing the affected skin to allow new young cells to emerge. A chemical peel is a gentle acid solution. When applied,  it creates a controlled wound that eventually peels off, making way for new skin.

If your skin has dark marks and spots from sun exposure, your dermatologist may choose to use this method. It is a little painful but gets the job done.

Preventing Sun Damage is Key

Like a few skin problems, you can prevent sun spots on your skin. Try reducing your exposure to harmful sun rays (UV and UVB). These rays are common between 10:00 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon. Avoid sunbathing during this period. Instead, sit in the sun during early hours.

Always apply sunscreen on your face and entire skin. This will prevent UV rays from harming your skin. Even with sunscreen, wear protective clothing. Sun huts and covering cloths will be beneficial to a healthy, youthful skin.