This summer, keep skin looking more youthful by reducing — and preventing — sun damage.
Written by Kathryn Drury Wagner
Spots, wrinkles, and leathery skin. So much for “fun in the sun.” But there are plenty of ways to treat and prevent sun-damaged skin to reduce excess pigmentation and smooth out lines. We spoke with some local skincare professionals to get their expertise on skin renewal.
Going Deep
“Sun damage is kind of like an iceberg,” says Brooke Turlington, clinic director at Park Aesthetics. “What you see on the surface is often only a fraction of what’s already developing underneath.”
While chemical peels and skincare products can help with mild sun damage, “lasers are usually going to create faster and more dramatic correction because they can reach deeper than most topical or superficial treatments can,” says Turlington.
“BBL (BroadBand Light) is by far the most common treatment that we use to treat sun-damaged skin,” says Michelle Turley, a licensed esthetician and cosmetic laser specialist at Chatham Plastic Surgery. It can penetrate to reach the layers of sun damage while leaving the skin intact during the healing process. “That means our patients can continue their busy lives without having to deal with wound care from heavier laser and peel treatments,” says Turley. “It is highly effective and also tends to hold its results for longer periods of time than other treatment modalities.”
For patients with severe photodamage, Turley refers them to a dermatologist for blue light or photodynamic therapy. These treatments combine light therapy with prescription medications such as Levulan, she explains, “to address more stubborn areas such as actinic keratosis that we cannot remove with regular chemicals, microneedling, or lasers.” While this type of treatment is highly effective, it will involve more downtime, with redness and peeling.
At-Home Treatments
Turley recommends a good at-home skincare regimen involving Retin-A, vitamin C, and sunscreen.
Red light therapy devices are also popular. The masks do have research behind them, but there are a few caveats. One is to look for a mask that uses a wavelength of 820 nanometers or higher. And, says Turlington, “consistency matters to an almost unrealistic degree. You basically have to use it constantly for a long period of time to see meaningful results. So yes, there’s some evidence for skin stimulation and support, but it’s not comparable to in-office laser technology for true pigment correction.”
Other skin gadgets, like gua sha tools and ice rollers, “can absolutely help with inflammation, puffiness, circulation, and overall skin health,” says Turlington. “But not sun damage itself.”
Prevention
“Living in Savannah, telling people ‘just avoid the sun’ is unrealistic, but it really is significantly easier to prevent sun damage than to reverse it later,” says Turlington. That means you need to apply sunscreen constantly. “Even when you don’t think you need it,” she says.
She adds, “One of the biggest misconceptions is that skincare can somehow outwork chronic UV exposure. We see so many ‘glass skin’ trends and Korean skincare trends online, but one thing many Americans don’t realize is that sun avoidance in many Asian cultures is taken incredibly seriously. Umbrellas, visors, gloves, constant sunscreen reapplication — it’s extremely normalized.”
“There are companies that develop full SPF wardrobes that are not only effective but also attractive to wear,” says Turley. “There’s really no excuse left to be unable to protect your skin when there are so many things available in today’s market.”
Once you’ve undergone something like a BBL, it’s important to double down on sun damage prevention. “If you spend money on lasers and then immediately go sit in the sun without sunscreen or corrective skincare,” says Turlington, “you’re basically undoing your investment.”
Consistency and patience add up to amazing skin.
“There is no quick fix to a long-lasting result,” says Turley. “Spots can be quickly removed but your body will be quick to replace them as a method of self protection unless you make life changes, from the way you protect yourself to what you are applying to correct and maintain your skin. It’s a commitment but one that is very rewarding when you look in the mirror and see healthy, glowing skin reflected back.”
Scary Risk Taking
Many of us Gen Xers grew up slathered in baby oil, attempting to look like Malibu Barbie. We’ve since repented, with our Sun Precautions shirts and daily sunscreen. Surprisingly, Gen Z has learned nothing from us. They aren’t smoking, drinking, or making out like it’s 1987, but they have embraced tanning — and with it, they are seriously raising their risk of skin cancer.
A 2026 study on sun safety by the American Academy of Dermatology found that Gen Z more likely to rely on Instagram or TikTok, where they may find misinformation, for skincare advice. Gen Z is less aware of the risks associated with getting a sunburn, are more likely to think that tanning beds are safer than the sun, and believe in myths such as “the base tan.” Overall, 20% of Gen Z respondents said that getting a tan is more important to them than preventing skin cancer. This attitude is especially bizarre coming from a generation that is interested in 12-step Korean skincare routines. So, how can we nudge our young people toward safer sun habits?
“As both a mom and someone who has spent years in the beauty industry, I think education is everything,” says Michelle Peth, founder of sunless tanning company Beettan. “A lot of younger people still associate tanning with ‘looking healthy,’ but we now know the long-term effects of excessive UV exposure and that tanning beds can be incredibly damaging. Skin health and skin appearance go hand in hand.”
Her advice is not to shame young people for wanting a tan, “because realistically they probably still will. Instead, help them understand there are safer alternatives available now that didn’t exist years ago,” says Peth. “Sunless tanning has come a long way and can give people the confidence and glow they want without baking their skin in harmful UV rays.”
Peth notes that parents can lead by example. “Wearing SPF, prioritizing skincare, and normalizing sunless tanning over tanning beds helps shift the conversation from ‘being tan at all costs’ to taking care of your skin in the long term,” she says.
— Kathryn Drury Wagner
