Living at the Beach Has Its Perks
Wilmington is one of the most beautiful places to live in North Carolina. The beach is close. The sun is out most of the year. And if you have been here a while, your skin has been quietly absorbing all of it.
Sun damage is cumulative. It builds slowly over years of outdoor living, even on the days you remembered your SPF. It shows up as dark spots, uneven tone, a rough or dull texture and fine lines that seem to deepen a little more every summer.
The encouraging news is that most sun damage is highly treatable. And the earlier you start, the easier it is to address.
What Sun Damage Actually Looks Like
Not all sun damage looks the same. Some of the most common signs we see at Self Skin Studio include brown spots and age spots, especially on the face, chest and backs of hands. Redness or broken capillaries that give the skin a flushed or blotchy appearance. Dullness and rough texture from accumulated UV exposure over the years. Fine lines and early laxity from collagen breakdown over time.
If your skin tone has changed over the years or you find yourself reaching for more concealer than you used to, sun damage is likely part of the picture.
Treatment Options for Sun Damage
BBL Heroic (BroadBand Light)
BBL Heroic is one of the most effective treatments available for sun damage. The high-intensity light targets excess pigment and broken vessels, breaking them down so your body can naturally clear them. It also stimulates collagen production which improves overall skin quality over time.
Treatments are quick, and most patients return to their normal routine the same day. A series of treatments spaced four weeks apart is typically recommended for established sun damage.
Moxi Laser
Moxi complements BBL Heroic by addressing texture alongside pigmentation. It resurfaces the skin gently and builds collagen from the inside, making it a strong option for patients who want to address both the discoloration and the overall quality of their skin at the same time.
Moxi is also a wonderful preventative tool for patients who are starting to see early signs of cumulative sun exposure and want to get ahead of it.
Chemical Peels
A well-chosen chemical peel can meaningfully improve mild to moderate sun damage. By removing the outer layers of skin, peels encourage fresher and more even skin to come through. They are often a great starting point for patients who are newer to professional aesthetic treatments.
What SPF Has to Do with All of It
Treating sun damage without committing to daily sun protection is like trying to fill a bathtub with the drain open. SPF is the foundation of any sun damage treatment plan. We recommend SPF 30 or higher every single morning, applied before makeup.
The Best Time to Start Is Now
A question we hear often is whether it is too late to treat sun damage. The answer is almost always no. Skin responds well to the right treatments at any age and even long-standing sun damage can be meaningfully improved with a consistent, thoughtful plan.
Skin You Are Proud to Show Off
At Self Skin Studio, we will take a close look at your skin, explain what we see and build a treatment plan that fits your goals, your timeline, and your budget. There is no pressure and no one-size-fits-all solution. Just a clear path forward for your skin.