Definition
What is Sun damage and premature aging?
Sun damage, medically called photoaging, describes the changes that develop in the skin over years of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Natural aging is slow and steady; it shows up as fine lines, slight thinning and a loss of elasticity. Aging sped up by the sun is much more pronounced: deep wrinkles, thick and tough skin texture, uneven spots, enlarged small blood vessels and a yellowish tone. The difference between skin that sees the sun and skin that doesn't, for example between the back of your neck and the inside of your arm, shows these two types of aging side by side.
The mechanism is simple, but the consequences are big. UVB rays cause burns and cell damage in the upper layer of the skin; UVA rays go deeper and switch on enzymes that break down the collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its strength and elasticity. This damage builds up over years. One study suggested that about 80% of visible signs of aging on the face are linked to UV exposure. Smoking, air pollution, lack of sleep and an unbalanced diet are other factors that deepen this damage.
Men are especially exposed to this. Men use far less sunscreen than women, work more often in outdoor jobs such as construction, farming, logistics, field engineering, delivery and security, and play outdoor sports like soccer and cycling with less protection. In men with a receding hairline or short hair, the forehead, scalp, ears and back of the neck also get direct sun. A long-term study in Australia showed that middle-aged men and women who used sunscreen every day showed no detectable increase in aging over 4.5 years. In other words, sunscreen isn't a cosmetic luxury; it's your skin's most basic shield.
Check yourself
How do you spot it?
- ✓Early, deep wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, on the forehead and between the brows
- ✓Thick, creased, leathery-looking skin on the back of the neck
- ✓Brown sun spots on the cheeks, forehead and backs of the hands
- ✓Enlarged fine blood vessels on the nose and cheeks
- ✓Rough, thick, yellowish skin texture
- ✓Loss of elasticity and early sagging along the cheeks and jawline
- ✓Flaking or crusting on the ears and on a receding hairline
- ✓Dryness, thinning and whitish areas on the lips
Why it happens
Main causes
01
Unprotected sun exposure
The number one cause of photoaging is UV exposure that builds up over the years. Short but frequent sunbathing and working long hours in the sun are both part of this buildup. UVA rays can also reach your skin on cloudy days and through car windows.
02
Not using sunscreen
In an online survey of men, most participants said they didn't use sunscreen every day. Using sunscreen only at the beach, not applying enough to your face and not reapplying during the day also reduce protection significantly.
03
Outdoor jobs
People who work outdoors receive at least 2-3 times more UV than those who work indoors, and their daily exposure is often several times the internationally recommended limits. Construction, farming, road work, port work and field jobs are high-risk in this respect.
04
Smoking
Smoking switches on enzymes that break down collagen in the skin, reduces blood flow and increases oxidative stress. The result is early, deep wrinkles, especially around the mouth and eyes, and a gray, dull skin tone.
05
Outdoor sports
Outdoor activities like soccer, running, cycling, fishing, golf and hiking mean spending hours in the sun. Because sweat and friction quickly wear off sunscreen, reapplying protection tends to be neglected.
06
Air pollution and lack of sleep
Polluted air, exhaust and industrial smoke, along with long-term lack of sleep and an unbalanced diet, also reduce the skin's repair capacity and make the damage left by the sun more visible.
In daily life
Triggers that cause flare-ups
Medical approach
Treatment options
01
Broad-spectrum sunscreen every day
Dermatologists' first recommendation for photoaging is a broad-spectrum, high-protection sunscreen used every day. In a randomized trial in Australia, the group that used sunscreen daily showed 24% less skin aging after 4.5 years than the group that used it at their own discretion. Protection is also the foundation for slowing the progression of existing damage.
02
Topical retinoids
Retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, are the most researched group of topical active ingredients for photoaging. Studies have shown they can help reduce fine wrinkles, rough texture and spots. Prescription retinoids are used after a doctor's assessment; because dryness and redness can occur in the first weeks, they're started gradually.
03
Antioxidant serums
Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and niacinamide, when used under sunscreen, can provide extra support against free radicals and help even out skin tone.
04
Dermatological procedures
Chemical peels, fractional lasers, light therapies and microneedling are options your dermatologist may recommend for significant photoaging. Strict sun protection is essential after these procedures; otherwise the risk of pigmentation increases.
05
Skin cancer screening
In men who have worked in the sun for years, sun-related precancerous skin lesions can develop alongside photoaging. Any lesion that crusts, doesn't heal or changes should be checked by a dermatologist.
Did you know? · Sun damage and premature aging
18.1% · In a US survey of 4,033 adults, only 18.1% of men regularly applied sunscreen to their face when going outside on a sunny day; among women, the figure was 42.6%.
Step by step
Care routine for Sun damage and premature aging
5 steps
- 01
Gentle cleansing
Wash your face with lukewarm water and a cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight. Bar soap and harsh foams weaken the barrier and reduce your skin's resistance to the sun.
- 02
Antioxidant serum
A light serum with vitamin C or niacinamide adds an extra layer of defense under your sunscreen.
- 03
Light moisturizer
If you have oily skin, use a gel moisturizer; if you have dry skin, use a richer one with prebiotics. If you've shaved, don't skip this step.
- 04
Broad-spectrum sunscreen
Apply a high-protection, broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face, ears, the back of your neck and, if your hairline is receding, your scalp. Your face needs about two finger-lengths of product. Matte-finish, fast-absorbing formulas are more practical for men.
- 05
Hat and sunglasses
If you work outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat or a cap with neck protection and UV-protective sunglasses. Some of the wrinkles around your eyes come from squinting against the sun.
Caution
What to avoid, and when to see a doctor?
Avoid these
- ✕Using sunscreen only in summer or at the beach
- ✕Skipping protection on cloudy, cool days
- ✕Applying too little sunscreen and not reapplying during the day
- ✕Tanning beds and deliberate tanning
- ✕Smoking and smoky environments
- ✕Trying to cool your skin with alcohol-based lotions after a long time in the sun
- ✕Neglecting sun protection while using retinoids or peels
- ✕Leaving your ears, the back of your neck and your scalp unprotected
See a dermatologist
- →If you have a sore that crusts, bleeds easily or doesn't heal within a few weeks
- →If you've noticed a new mole or spot, or one that has changed shape, color or size
- →If you have rough, scaly, sandpaper-like patches on your face, ears or scalp
- →If you've worked in the sun for many years and have never had a skin check
- →If you have a severe sunburn with high fever, chills and blisters
- →If you're considering a retinoid or a procedure for signs of premature aging
Common misconceptions
Myth or fact?
✕Common belief
Men with darker skin don't need sunscreen.
✓Fact
Although darker skin is somewhat more resistant to sunburn, UVA rays break down collagen and cause spots in every skin type. In olive and darker skin tones, sun damage usually shows up more visibly as pigmentation and uneven tone.
✕Common belief
Sunscreen isn't for men; it's a sticky, shiny product.
✓Fact
Today there are many sunscreen formulas with a matte finish that absorb quickly, are oil-free and don't leave residue in a beard. Gel, spray and stick formats make it easier for bearded men and men with oily skin to use.
✕Common belief
Once the damage is done, there's no point in protecting your skin.
✓Fact
Sun damage is cumulative; starting protection today slows its progression. In a randomized trial, people who started using sunscreen every day in middle age showed a marked slowdown in aging.
Popular searches
Most asked about Sun damage and premature aging
Your questions
Frequently asked questions
01Should men use sunscreen every day?+
Yes. Dermatologists recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day regardless of season, especially for the face, ears and back of the neck. Even if you work in an indoor office, UV exposure adds up on your commute, at lunch and inside the car.
02I have a beard. How should I apply sunscreen?+
In bearded areas, sunscreens in gel, spray or fluid lotion form spread more easily and don't leave residue. The upper cheeks where the beard is sparse, the nose, forehead and ears get the most sun; protect these areas especially well.
03I work outdoors. How can I protect myself?+
Apply sunscreen before you start work and reapply at least every 2 hours, more often if you sweat. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or a cap with neck protection, long-sleeved breathable workwear and UV-protective glasses. If possible, schedule heavy work outside midday hours.
04Can sun damage be reversed?+
Some sun damage can be noticeably reduced with regular sun protection and options your dermatologist recommends, such as retinoids, peels or lasers. But deep wrinkles and many years of damage can't be erased completely. The most effective approach is to limit new damage starting today.
05Will my skin improve if I quit smoking?+
Quitting smoking increases blood flow and oxygen to the skin and slows collagen breakdown. Existing wrinkles won't disappear completely, but your skin tone and texture will start to recover over time, and the pace of aging will slow down.
06What kind of doctor should I see for sun damage?+
For sun damage and premature aging you should see a dermatologist (skin specialist). Your dermatologist will plan options for the signs of aging and also check your skin for sun-related precancerous lesions.
Scientific basis
Sources
- 01Patterns of sunscreen use on the face and other exposed skin among US adults
Holman DM, Berkowitz Z, Guy GP Jr, Hawkins NA, Saraiya M, Watson M · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2015 · doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.02.1112
Found that 18.1% of men and 42.6% of women regularly applied sunscreen to their face on a sunny day.
- 02Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin
Flament F, Bazin R, Laquieze S, Rubert V, Simonpietri E, Piot B · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology · 2013 · doi:10.2147/CCID.S44686
Suggested that visible signs of facial aging are largely determined by external factors, especially the sun, and that UV exposure may be responsible for about 80% of visible aging.
- 03Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial
Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC · Annals of Internal Medicine · 2013 · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002
Found that middle-aged men and women who used sunscreen every day had 24% less skin aging after 4.5 years than those who used it at their own discretion.
- 04The skin aging exposome
Krutmann J, Bouloc A, Sore G, Bernard BA, Passeron T · Journal of Dermatological Science · 2017 · doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.09.015
Defined how the sum of environmental factors such as sunlight, air pollution, smoking, diet and sleep determines skin aging.
- 05Improved protection of outdoor workers from solar ultraviolet radiation: position statement
John SM, Garbe C, French LE, Takala J, Yared W, Cardone A, Gehring R, Spahn A, Stratigos A · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2021 · doi:10.1111/jdv.17011
Stressed that outdoor workers receive at least 2-3 times more UV than indoor workers and that their daily exposure often exceeds recommended limits.
- 06Men's Attitudes and Behaviors About Skincare and Sunscreen Use Behaviors
Roberts CA, Goldstein EK, Goldstein BG, Jarman KL, Paci K, Goldstein AO · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · 2021 · doi:10.36849/JDD.5470
A survey of 705 men found that most participants didn't use sunscreen every day, and that the main motivations of those who did were lowering skin cancer risk and looking younger.
- 07Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging
Morita A · Journal of Dermatological Science · 2007 · doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2007.06.015
Reviewed how cigarette smoke leads to premature skin aging by increasing collagen-degrading enzymes and creating oxidative stress.
- 08Ultraviolet radiation, both UVA and UVB, influences the composition of the skin microbiome
Burns EM, Ahmed H, Isedeh PN, Kohli I, Van Der Pol W, Shaheen A, Muzaffar AF, Al-Sadek C, Foy TM, Abdelgawwad MS, Huda S, Lim HW, Hamzavi I, Bae S, Morrow CD, Elmets CA, Yusuf N · Experimental Dermatology · 2019 · doi:10.1111/exd.13854
Showed in male volunteers that UVA and UVB rays markedly changed the composition of the skin microbiome, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
- 09Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G · Clinical Interventions in Aging · 2006 · doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327
Evaluated the effectiveness of topical retinoids on fine wrinkles, texture and pigmentation in photoaging, along with their side effects.
