Sun damage, cleared.
Solar lentigines, mottled tone, photoageing. The Australian sun does its work whether you noticed or not. Here is what The Glow's editors recommend, ranked, with clinic options when topical isn't enough.
What it is.
Sun damage is the visible legacy of cumulative UV exposure. The flat brown 1-4mm marks across cheeks, temples, hands and chest are solar lentigines: melanocytes that have over-produced pigment in defensive response to UV. They sit at the epidermal layer and respond well to targeted treatment. The deeper sallow texture across photoaged skin is collagen degradation driven by long-wave UVA. The two often appear together. Both are preventable. Both are largely treatable.
What works.
The evidence-backed topical pathway, ranked from foundational to advanced. Every product link goes to the full Glow review or category ranking.
Daily SPF50+ broad-spectrum
Non-negotiable. La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid is The Glow's daily-SPF default at 9.3/10. AU$35.
See the ranking →Vitamin C serum, AM
L-ascorbic acid 10-20% under SPF improves photo-protection and supports pigment turnover. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic earned 9.2/10 in our comparison.
See the ranking →Retinoid, PM
Tretinoin (prescription) or over-the-counter retinal accelerates epidermal turnover and fades solar lentigines over 12-26 weeks.
See the ranking →Niacinamide 5-10%
Inhibits melanosome transfer, reduces visible pigmentation, very well tolerated. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% at AU$13 scored 8.9/10.
What doesn't.
Glow's banned list
- Most home remedies. Lemon juice burns the skin and worsens pigmentation under UV.
- Generic salon IPL on Fitzpatrick III+ skin without proper assessment. Risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Hydroquinone unsupervised over long periods. Effective short term, but rebound risk and ochronosis exist.
- Most pigmentation 'brightening' formulas without a Vitamin C or retinoid backbone are largely fragrance and marketing.
When to see a clinic.
When topical hasn't moved discrete sun spots after 12-16 weeks of consistent use, or when there are more than a handful of spots to treat, BBL (Broadband Light) is the standard upgrade path. The Sciton BBL HERO platform clears discrete solar lentigines in a single session for many patients. Skinologie in Albert Park runs the platform under Dr Ceylan Yilmaz (FRACGP). One session is AU$350 at time of writing. For deeper photoageing texture, Pico Genesis (at Clinica Lase) or Fraxel (at Flawless Rejuvenation) are the typical next steps.
Questions, answered.
How do I tell sun damage from melasma?
Sun damage (solar lentigines) is usually discrete spots with defined edges, often on sun-exposed surfaces (cheeks, temples, hands). Melasma is diffuse, often symmetric, hormonally driven, and frequently worsens with heat. The two require different treatment, and BBL is generally contraindicated for melasma. If unsure, get a clinical assessment before treating.
Can I use a BBL device at home?
No at-home BBL device exists. At-home IPL devices (Philips Lumea, SmoothSkin) are designed for hair removal at much lower energy and broader spectrum. They are not appropriate for treating sun damage.
How long does it take topical treatment to fade a sun spot?
Discrete solar lentigines typically need 12-26 weeks of consistent retinoid plus vitamin C plus daily SPF to fade meaningfully. BBL clears them in one session for many patients.
Will sun damage come back after treatment?
Yes, if UV exposure continues unprotected. Treatment plus daily SPF50+ is the only durable approach. Without ongoing SPF, expect new spots within 18-36 months.
Related hubs.
All skin concerns · All Glow rankings · Glow Recommended clinics · The Glow Standard, v4.2