How do you treat sun discoloration?

Author: Dr. Elias Hoppe  |  Last update: Saturday, November 29, 2025

Treatment options to repair damaged skin include retinoids, lightening agents, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion and fillers.

Can you reverse sun damage to skin?

While medical professionals cannot reverse the effects of sun damage entirely, there are treatments that can help with collagen production, skin turnover, improvements in the appearance of dark spots and more. These include: Topical treatments containing retinol. Chemical peels.

Can hyperpigmentation from sun go away?

Treating Hyperpigmentation

Additionally, these spots often fade over time. However, if they are bothering you, there are treatments available to help, some of which include: Topical creams. Chemical peels.

Is it too late to fix sun damaged skin?

No matter how many years of sun damage your skin has suffered, it's not too late to start reversing the damage. Apply your sunscreen, grab your hat, and head off to your dermatologist to talk about a treatment plan that will take your skin back to its younger, healthier days.

How long does it take for sun hyperpigmentation to go away?

Mild hyperpigmentation can begin to fade within 3-6 months with consistent treatment. More aggressive treatments, such as chemical peels, may show results sooner but often require multiple sessions. Severe cases of hyperpigmentation, such as deep melasma, can take a year or more to resolve.

How to Get Rid of Sunspots on Your Skin

What fades hyperpigmentation the fastest?

Three types of skincare treatments fade hyperpigmentation marks fast:
  • Physical exfoliants.
  • Chemical exfoliants.
  • Brightening actives such as vitamin C, kojic acid, liquorice extract.

What does a dermatologist do for sun-damaged skin?

Chemical peels.

By applying a chemical substance such as trichloracetic acid or glycolic acid to the skin, dermatologists can remove brown spots and actinic keratoses and improve the tone and texture of photoaged skin.

Does vitamin C reverse sun damage?

Topical vitamins C and E, as well as topical selenium, protect skin against sunburn, suntan and skin cancer and also reverse the mottled pigmentation and wrinkles of photoageing.

What is the best cream for sun-damaged skin?

Retinoids, retinols: These topical products provide their best benefit when treating early signs of photoaging. These chemicals encourage skin cells to slough off so new cells come to the surface. They also stimulate collagen production, which keeps skin tighter.

Does retinol help with hyperpigmentation?

Retinol benefits the skin in many ways – by stimulating cell turnover, renewing the skin, reducing sebum production and has even been proven to lighten some forms of pigmentation over time. This has resulted in retinol being increasingly touted as a solution for many skin conditions including hyperpigmentation.

How to reverse skin darkening from sun?

To fight the damage, try: Skin-lightening creams: Products with hydroquinone can lighten skin. Kojic and glycolic acids are two other ingredients that can help remove these marks, too. Retinoids: Along with smoothing wrinkles, these compounds speed up the turnover and shedding of pigmented cells.

Does losing weight help with skin discoloration?

Treating the underlying cause of acanthosis nigricans can make the dark patches of skin fade or even disappear. This can mean stopping any medicine that's causing the problem or treating diabetes and other health conditions. Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade.

How do you fix old sun damaged skin?

Here are the best treatments for reversing damage and giving your skin a fresh start.
  1. BroadBand Light (BBL) BBL is one of the most trusted treatments for minimizing redness and hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure. ...
  2. Fraxel® Laser Skin Resurfacing. ...
  3. Chemical Peels. ...
  4. Microdermabrasion. ...
  5. Microneedling.

Does retinol help with sun damage?

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, works by encouraging cell turnover and increasing collagen production, both of which help set damaged skin cells on a healthier course. Available both over-the-counter and in prescription strengths, retinol works to combat nearly all of the signs of sun damage.

Can exfoliating reverse sun damage?

Much like staying hydrated, this isn't going to rid your skin of sunspots and other damage caused by the sun, but it will reduce its appearance. By exfoliating, you'll remove the surface layer of dead skin. This will reduce the visual appearance of wrinkles as well as soften color tones.

How long does vitamin C serum take to work for hyperpigmentation?

Within one week of starting to use this product, your skin will get better hydration, and your complexion will brighten. Even for hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C serum before and after changes are pretty evident. You will usually notice a reduction in dark spots within two weeks of using this product.

How to reverse sun tan?

Removing Sun Tan From Face And Body: Tips And Tricks
  1. Tip 1. Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate.
  2. Tip 2. Use Hydrating Serums.
  3. Tip 3: Use a Tan Removal Cream.
  4. Tip 4. Face Mask For Tan Removal.
  5. Tip 5: Use a Sunscreen.

Can tanned skin be white again?

Yes, a tan will naturally fade away due to the exfoliation of our skin. It may not be the nicest thing to think about, but the human skin sheds and then generates millions of cells everyday. When the tanned skin cells are replaced with new, untanned skin cells, your body will gradually return to its normal colour.

What is the fastest way to get rid of age spots naturally?

There are several at-home treatments that can reduce the look of age spots, including:
  1. Exfoliation. Skin cells regenerate about every month or so. ...
  2. Vitamin C serums. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps brighten skin and stimulates collagen production. ...
  3. Skin brightening serums. ...
  4. Prescription topicals. ...
  5. Chemical peels.

What is prescribed for sun damage?

Medicines. If you have several actinic keratoses, your health care provider might prescribe a medicated cream or gel to remove them, such as fluorouracil (Carac, Efudex others), imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) or diclofenac. These products might cause inflamed skin, scaling or a burning sensation for a few weeks.

Can a chemical peel remove sun damage?

Chemical peels improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin by using a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of old skin. The new skin that replaces it is usually smoother and less wrinkled in appearance.

Can CeraVe remove dark spots?

Try a retinol serum

Retinol can help visibly lighten dark spots. We suggest introducing retinol to your skin with a serum like the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. It helps smooth skin's texture by reducing the appearance of post-acne marks, minimizing the look of pores, and improving the skin's surface.

Is vitamin E or C better for hyperpigmentation?

Vitamin C is great for those with: dull or uneven skin tone. dark spots, acne scars and pigmentation. fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

What happens if you use vitamin C without sunscreen?

What happens if you use vitamin c without sunscreen. Wearing vitamin C without sunscreen can leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage, leading to premature aging, dark spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Previous article
Do the fridge and freezer run on the same compressor?
Next article
What is the best tool for compacting soil?