What should you know about old sun-damaged skin?

Ultraviolet exposure can alter pigment, collagen and the skin’s surface over time. Facial volume loss and sagging may occur for several reasons, so they are not specific to sun exposure. Sun spots and melasma can resemble one another but need different assessment.

A rough, scaly, bleeding, tender or non-healing area should not be assumed to be ordinary ageing. Basal cell carcinoma is one condition a clinician may need to exclude, particularly when a lesion changes.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen as directed, seek shade, wear protective clothing and avoid intentional tanning. Moisturiser can improve comfort and the look of surface dryness, but it cannot reverse deeper structural change.

A dermatologist can map spots and texture changes, examine suspicious areas and discuss options suited to your skin tone and goals. Depending on the finding, care may involve topical treatment, procedures or observation. Do not peel, burn or scratch a changing lesion at home.

Book a prompt skin check for a spot or patch that grows, changes colour or border, repeatedly crusts, bleeds, hurts or fails to heal. Seek urgent care for severe blistering, eye involvement, fever or signs of infection after a recent burn.

Ask which changes are pigment, texture or volume-related, whether any lesion needs testing, what protection fits your routine, and which treatment is safest for your skin tone.