Some people burn, some people tan – but anyone can fall victim to sun damage. It’s true that the more melanin (pigment) contained in your skin the less likely you are to burn, but repeated sun exposure leads to damage much uglier and longer lasting than a “tourist tan”.

We spoke with Dr. Anna Magee of Charlottesville Dermatology in Virginia to find out what we’re in for if we choose to overindulge or fail to protect our skin from the sun. A board certified dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Surgical Dermatological Association, Dr. Magee treats patients suffering from sun damage every day.

“The most common sign of sun damage I see is wrinkling,” says Dr. Magee. “The wrinkles are fine in early sun damage, such as the ones around the eyes, commonly referred to as crows' feet. With more and more sun damage, the wrinkles deepen. The other common sign of early sun damage is freckling and patchy brown discoloration. After more time in the sun the skin develops a coarseness and it thickens.”

Take a look at your skin to see if you notice any of the following negative cosmetic effects of too much sun:

• Uneven skin tone – a little red splotch here, a little white spot there; uneven pigmentation is a result of damage.
• Sun Spots – referred to medically as solar lentigines; they are also called age spots or liver spots. Darker than your average freckle, these spots tend to collect in areas repeatedly exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, and shoulders.
• Melasma – dark patches of skin that result from a combination of sun exposure and hormones, like those contained in certain forms of birth control or that naturally increase during pregnancy.
• Fine lines – little lines that form around the eyes, mouth, and forehead are a common form of early sun damage.
• Deep wrinkles – repeated overexposure results in solar elastosis, the loss of collagen and elastin fibers that keep skin firm and youthful looking. Deep wrinkles are most common on the forehead, between the brows, and around the mouth.
• Sagging – the loss of collagen and elastin caused by solar elastosis also causes skin to hang loosely and sag in some areas.

If you find yourself identifying with one or more of these items, you’ve got sun damage. Now what?

How to Treat Sun Damaged Skin

“There are many ways [to treat sun damage] ranging from topical treatments with prescription-strength products such OBAGI®, Tretinoin, and strong glycolic acid products,” said Dr. Magee. “There are also skin bleaching agents such as hydroquinone and kojic acid. I often encourage patients to consider exfoliating treatments such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels such as SkinMedica®’s Vitalize Peel."

When that’s not enough, you’re going to have to dig a bit deeper.

“I often use a TCA and Jessners peel for severe sun damage. This is an aggressive peel which works very well but has recovery time of 7-10 days,” says Dr. Magee, adding that IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and laser treatment with Fraxel lasers will also give great results, but require extra time for recovery.

While improving the appearance of sun damage is possible, the best treatment is always prevention.

Preventing Sun Damage

“I recommend that my patients use a daily sunscreen on sun-exposed sites to protect against the everyday exposure to the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays,” says Dr. Magee, suggesting waterproof or sweatproof UVA/UVB sunscreen for extended periods in the sun. “I am also a proponent of sun-protective clothing. This offers a better way to protect the skin at times where the skin is being exposed to excessive amounts of sunshine,” says Dr. Magee.

You work out to be fit and look your best, why damage your skin in the process? If you exercise outdoors, consider investing in a good sunscreen, hat, and possibly even protective clothing. Dr. Magee’s personal favorites are Wallaroo hats for their wide brim, and Bloqwear contemporary active clothing, both of which have an SPF of 50 or higher built right in.

In a time where people are spending more than ever on cosmetic procedures to look younger, why do we still see people slathering on the dark tanning oil as opposed to sunblock and baking under dangerous UV lightbulbs? If you want to look your best, you have to protect yourself from sun damage. If the damage is already evident, book an appointment with a board certified dermatologist to see what options are available to you. It’s a good time to check for skin cancer as well.

“There is an increased incidence of skin cancer in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. According to a study done by the Archives of Dermatology, the number of new diagnoses of skin cancers have increased by over 300 percent since 1994,” says Dr. Magee. “This is thought to be related to the increased level of intentional and unintentional sun exposure, the tanning bed industry, and the aging baby boomer generation. About 90 percent of all skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation.”

Beauty really is more than skin deep. Say good-bye to sun worship if you wish to look your best and be healthy.

Tia O’Neill is a freelance writer in Virginia and Florida.