Sun Damage and Hyperpigmentation: How to Protect and Restore Your Skin
The sun may feel wonderful on our skin, but its long-term effects are often less welcome. Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary cause of skin cancer. Cumulative sun exposure also accelerates the aging process, weakens collagen, and triggers hyperpigmentation—those uneven dark spots, blotches, melasma, and areas of discoloration that many patients find frustrating. At Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics, we guide patients through advanced in-office treatments, prevention, and at-home care to both protect their skin and restore a brighter, more even complexion.
What Does Sun Damage Look Like?
Sun damage appears in several forms:
Fine lines and wrinkles from collagen breakdown
Rough or uneven skin texture
Hyperpigmentation, including sunspots (solar lentigines) or diffuse discoloration
Melasma: larger, symmetric brown patches, often on the cheeks, forehead, or upper lip. Unlike typical sunspots, melasma is influenced by hormones and environmental factors in addition to sun exposure.
Dullness or loss of radiance
Understanding these changes is the first step. The next step is knowing how to protect your skin and reverse the visible damage.
Prevention First: Sunscreen and Daily Protection
No treatment can keep up with ongoing sun damage alone, which is why prevention is essential. The most powerful tool is daily sunscreen use.
Dr. Nabatian recommends SPF 40 or higher, broad-spectrum protection, and a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide. Our antioxidant sunscreen delivers all three—plus added antioxidants and hydration.
Antioxidant defense with Vitamins C, E, and Ferulic Acid to neutralize free radicals.
Hydration and comfort, with lightweight squalane for smooth daily wear under makeup.
We advise applying every morning and reapplying every 2–3 hours when outdoors, or sooner if swimming or sweating. Sun-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats provide additional defense.
In-Office Treatments: Advanced Options for Sun Damage
While prevention is key, the addition of in-office treatments provides the fastest and most noticeable improvements for sun damage and pigmentation.
For patients ready to take the next step, we offer professional treatments designed to improve pigmentation and sun damage more quickly:
Chemical Peels & Medical-Grade Facials: Gently exfoliate the skin, stimulate renewal, and enhance absorption of brightening agents.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Ideal for sunspots and redness, IPL breaks up pigment with minimal downtime.
Fraxel® Laser (fractional, non-ablative): Targets pigmentation, fine lines, and texture by stimulating collagen and resurfacing the skin from within. Importantly, Fraxel also addresses precancerous lesions.
Laser Genesis: A no-downtime treatment that reduces mild pigmentation, redness, and uneven tone while stimulating collagen.
These treatments are often paired with our medical-grade skincare for optimal, lasting results.
At-Home Skincare: Medical-Grade Products That Work
While over-the-counter products can help, medical-grade skincare offers superior potency, safety, and results. At Premier Dermatology and Aesthetics, we carry physician-dispensed options designed to address pigmentation and support overall skin health.
Brightening Pads: Formulated with kojic acid, arbutin, Vitamin C & E, green tea, and a gentle exfoliator, these pads reduce inflammation, lighten uneven pigmentation, and promote a more radiant complexion.
C+E+ Ferulic Antioxidant Brightening Serum: Combines clinically proven Vitamin C with Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. This serum protects against environmental stressors, stimulates collagen and elastin, and improves skin tone and texture.
Used consistently, these products help fade discoloration, protect against future damage, and complement in-office procedures.
Prescription Therapies: For More Noticeable Pigmentation
When hyperpigmentation is more persistent, prescription therapies can be added to enhance results. These include:
Topical retinoids (tretinoin): Encourage cell turnover, smooth fine lines, and fade pigmentation gradually.
Prescription brightening creams: Often compounded with hydroquinone or other agents for more targeted treatment.
Our team carefully evaluates each patient’s skin type and concern to recommend safe, effective regimens
Putting It All Together
The most effective plan for addressing sun damage and hyperpigmentation is progressive:
Daily prevention with sunscreen and antioxidants.
In-office procedures for advanced, transformative improvement.
Medical-grade skincare to brighten and protect.
Prescription therapies for stubborn pigmentation.
At Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics, we design treatment plans tailored to your skin and goals, helping restore clarity, smoothness, and confidence.
Take the Next Step
If you’re bothered by sun damage, melasma, or other types of discoloration, know that safe and effective treatments are available. Our team is here to create a personalized plan for healthier, brighter skin.
Your path to healthier, brighter skin starts here.
You can learn more about our services by clicking here, or book a consultation here.
