Sun damage (photoageing) describes the cumulative changes to skin structure and appearance resulting from prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure. UV radiation damages skin DNA, degrades collagen and elastin, promotes abnormal melanocyte activity, and induces chronic inflammation. Visible changes include fine lines and wrinkles, textural roughening, irregular pigmentation (solar lentigines — 'age spots'), dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia), loss of elasticity, and a leathery quality to heavily sun-exposed skin.

What lifestyle changes can help with sun damage?

Daily SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen is the most effective anti-ageing and cancer-prevention intervention. Protective clothing and shade. Avoid deliberate tanning.

What integrative approaches support sun damage?

Sunscreen has very strong evidence for photoageing prevention and skin cancer reduction. Topical retinoids have strong evidence for reversing photoageing. AKs respond to cryotherapy and topical treatments with strong evidence.

When should I seek professional support for sun damage?

Annual skin checks with a dermatologist for those with significant sun damage history or multiple moles. Urgent assessment for rapidly changing, bleeding, or asymmetric lesions.

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Sun Damage

Visible skin changes from cumulative UV exposure — including wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of elasticity, and precancerous lesions.

Understand what may be causing this

Reviewed by Internal Medical Editorial Team · Integrative Health Content Review26 March 2026Strong Evidence

Quick answer

Visible skin changes from cumulative UV exposure — including wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of elasticity, and precancerous lesions.

Recognition

Do any of these feel familiar?

Visible skin ageing beyond what would be expected from chronological age alone — particularly on the face, neck, décolletage, and hands. Brown spots, broken capillaries, and texture changes.

What is Sun Damage?

Visible skin changes from cumulative UV exposure — including wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of elasticity, and precancerous lesions.

Approaches Commonly Explored

Commonly explored for conditions related to Sun Damage, grouped by mechanism — select your subtype above to highlight the most relevant path.

Integrates across:Alternative

How to use these approaches

🛡 Stabilise— Immediate relief

⚖️ Regulate— System balancing

🌱 Resolve— Root cause

✦ Sustain— Long-term

Most people begin with Stabilise approaches, then progress toward Resolve and Sustain.

Inflammatory Mechanism

Systemic or neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation.

Organic Facials

AlternativeEmerging

Not sure what this means for you?

Ask Vidi to help you understand Sun Damage and find what may be most relevant for your situation.

Self-care

What You Can Do Now

Self-directed strategies that may support Sun Damage alongside professional care.

Daily SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen is the most effective anti-ageing and cancer-prevention intervention

Ready to find support for Sun Damage?

Connect with holistic and complementary practitioners who specialise in this area.

Find support tailored to your experience

Sun Damage

Do any of these feel familiar?

Approaches Commonly Explored

Organic Facials

What You Can Do Now

Ready to find support for Sun Damage?

This symptom is often connected to

Hyperpigmentation

Ask Vidi about Sun Damage

About Sun Damage

Integrative Approaches & Evidence

When to Seek Support

Frequently Asked Questions

References