Sun Damage
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Sun Damage & Photoaging
Most of what we call ‘aging’ is really the sun — which means much of it is both treatable and preventable.
Sun damage, or photoaging, is the cumulative effect of ultraviolet exposure on the skin over years: pigmentation and brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture, a sallow tone, broken capillaries and loss of firmness. In sunny Los Angeles, it’s one of the most common reasons patients seek treatment.
What surprises most people is how much of ‘aging’ is actually sun exposure rather than the passage of time itself. That’s empowering: it means a large share of visible aging can be both treated and, going forward, prevented — which is why every plan pairs correction with protection.
The Reframe
Much of what looks like aging is sun exposure — and that means much of it is preventable.
By The Numbers
How Much Is Really the Sun?
A widely cited study found that external factors — chiefly sun exposure — account for the large majority of visible facial aging.
The sun’s share of visible facial aging
Why prevention is part of every treatment plan
Signs of sun damage
- Brown spots and uneven pigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Rough or leathery texture
- Sallow, dull tone
- Broken capillaries / redness
- Loss of firmness and elasticity
What helps
- Laser resurfacing for texture & pigment
- Light-based devices (e.g., IPL) for pigment & vessels
- Retinoids and antioxidants
- Professional pigment treatments
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (prevention)
Figure from Flament et al. (2013), a widely cited study attributing up to ~80% of visible facial aging to external factors, chiefly sun exposure. Individual results vary.
The SignsWhat Sun Damage Looks Like
Photoaging shows up in several overlapping ways:
Pigmentation
Sun spots, freckling and uneven tone from UV-stimulated melanin.
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Collagen breakdown from UV accelerates lines and creasing.
Texture
Rough, weathered or leathery surface texture.
Sallowness
A dull, yellowed tone as healthy collagen and elastin degrade.
Vascular Changes
Broken capillaries and persistent redness.
Laxity
Loss of firmness and elasticity over time.
The OptionsHow Sun Damage Is Treated
Because photoaging shows up in several layers — pigment, texture, vessels, collagen — treatment often combines tools, always paired with protection so you’re not undoing the work.
Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing addresses texture, pigment and fine lines by renewing the surface and stimulating collagen; the erbium approach offers this with comparatively gentle recovery.
Light-based and topical treatment
Light-based devices can target sun-induced pigment and broken capillaries, while a medical skincare plan with retinoids and antioxidants works continuously in the background.
Prevention is treatment
None of it lasts without daily broad-spectrum sun protection — the one intervention that both treats (by preventing further damage) and protects your results.
Related reading
Every Single Day
Protecting the investment you make in your skin starts with sunscreen.
How We DecideEvidence-Based Practice
Aesthetic medicine changes rapidly, and novelty alone is not evidence. At Onassis Skin Health, treatment and skincare protocols are developed with reference to peer-reviewed medical literature and respected clinical guidance — then interpreted for the individual in front of us.
Research does not replace clinical judgment. It informs it.
Published evidence is read in the context of your anatomy, skin type, medical history, risk profile, lifestyle and desired outcome. Product and technique selection, dosing or placement, and pre- and post-care all follow from that combination of evidence and individualized assessment — not from what is simply popular or available for purchase.
When AppropriateA Combined Plan
Because sun damage affects several layers at once, treatment is usually combined and always paired with protection:
+ Medical Skincare
A prescriptive regimen — including ZO Skin Health when appropriate — to treat the concern directly and support any in-office treatment.
+ In-Office Treatment
Laser or other procedures when they genuinely add value, matched to your skin and goals.
+ Photoprotection
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect results and prevent the concern from worsening.
Combinations are recommended only when each element contributes meaningfully to your goals. Sometimes the right plan is a single, well-chosen treatment — and sometimes it is choosing not to treat at all.
What to ExpectCorrection Plus Protection
A plan is built from your specific signs — pigment, texture, vessels, laxity — your skin tone and your downtime tolerance. Results are strongest when correction is paired with disciplined daily sun protection; without it, new damage simply accumulates. We’ll match the tools to what you actually have.
QuestionsFrequently Asked
Is most skin aging really from the sun?
A widely cited study attributes up to ~80% of visible facial aging to external factors, chiefly sun exposure — so much of it is preventable.
What treats sun damage best?
Often a combination — laser resurfacing for texture and pigment, light devices for vessels, and skincare — tailored to your signs.
Can sun damage be reversed?
Much of its visible appearance can be improved; ongoing protection prevents further damage.
Does sunscreen actually help if damage is done?
Yes — it prevents new damage and protects the results of any treatment, which is why it’s part of every plan.
Which laser is used?
It depends on your skin and signs; erbium offers gentler recovery, while other devices target pigment or vessels.
Consultation
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