Consultant dermatologist Dr Clare Kiely explores the mechanisms of photodamage and effective topical treatments
With an ageing population, caring for our skin health has never been so important. Photoageing is responsible for many of the cosmetic complaints among patients, including pigmentation, wrinkles, skin laxity and solar elastosis.¹ To understand how to effectively treat photodamaged skin, we first need to look at what’s happening at a cellular level.
This article examines the impact of chronic sun exposure on extrinsic ageing and outlines topical strategies to protect and repair skin – helping it last the pace, which is the key to ageing well.
What is photodamage
Photodamage, also called photoageing, refers to the changes in skin that result from cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure (from sunlight or tanning devices). This build-up of UV radiation over time damages DNA and disrupts key cellular functions.²
In the short term, it appears as sunburn, with redness, tenderness and peeling. These symptoms reflect DNA injury in keratinocytes, many of which undergo programmed cell death, forming what are known…
