Photoaging in summer: what the sun does to your skin
by BelénShare
In summer we spend more hours outdoors and the skin receives more radiation than at any other time of year. What is striking is that most of that effect does not show in August, but years later. The sun does not send an immediate bill: it accumulates one.
That is why it helps to understand what really happens inside the skin during these months. Not to give up the sun, but to know which part of the damage can be avoided and which part, once it is already there, can be supported at home.
What photoaging actually is
Photoaging is the term dermatology uses for the changes in the skin caused specifically by ultraviolet radiation. It is different from chronological ageing, which responds mainly to the passing of time and to the biological processes of each age.
The difference shows even when comparing two areas of the same person: facial skin, highly exposed, has more fragmented collagen fibres than an almost always protected area, such as the inner arm. A study with identical twins, who share practically the same DNA, found measurable differences in facial ageing linked to the sun exposure each one had accumulated over the years.
In practice, two people of the same age can have very different skin depending on how much radiation each has received.
Why does the sun accelerate skin ageing?
The ultraviolet radiation that reaches the surface is mainly of two kinds, and they do not behave the same way.
What happens to collagen
When UVA radiation reaches the dermis, it sets off a chain of processes that explain much of photoaging.
When that support network loses density and organisation, the skin no longer holds itself with the same efficiency. That is where the loss of firmness, the deeper wrinkles and the changes in texture appear.
Damage begins before it becomes visible
The first signs we notice, the dark spots or the loss of firmness, are the end result of a process that may have started years earlier. While the surface still looks normal, the internal structure may already be changing.
A burn is not necessary for damage to exist. Repeated exposure to moderate doses of radiation also accumulates changes in the skin, even without visible redness.
Three ideas worth clarifying
"If I don't burn, my skin is safe"
Redness appears when exposure exceeds the skin's immediate defence, but it is not the only marker of damage. Radiation can keep accumulating changes without reaching a burn.
"On cloudy days or behind glass it doesn't affect me"
UVA radiation passes through glass and is still present when it is cloudy. It is the one that reaches the dermis, so its effect does not depend on a clear day.
"I already have photoaging, so there's no point starting"
Starting to protect the skin today does not erase accumulated damage, but it does stop it from increasing. And the skin keeps its capacity to respond throughout life.
What you can do this summer
Prevention depends above all on daily habits, and most of them require no device.
- Broad-spectrum sun protection, all year round, not only at the beach.
- Attention to the areas we tend to forget: neck, décolleté and the back of the hands, which almost always receive less protection than the face.
- Reapply every two hours if there is direct exposure.
Protecting the skin does not mean giving up the benefits of the sun. The goal is not to eliminate all exposure, but to find a balance: making the most of its benefits for the body and reducing the damage that accumulates on the facial skin, which is the most photo-exposed area throughout life.
When the damage is already there: photobiomodulation
When part of the damage is already part of the skin's structure, the strategy changes. No cream has been shown to reverse established solar elastosis on its own. What can be done is to give the skin a stimulus that supports its own repair mechanisms.
Photobiomodulation works exactly like that. It uses specific wavelengths of light to trigger biological responses in the cells, without producing significant heat or damaging the surface of the skin. Certain wavelengths, in the red and infrared spectrum, are absorbed by the mitochondria, support the production of cellular energy (ATP) and activate the fibroblasts, the cells that synthesise collagen.
It does not aim to replace sun protection or to erase existing sun damage. Its role is to support the skin's repair and maintenance processes, session after session.
Silicone LED Mask, for the face, neck and décolleté
The Silicone LED Mask applies photobiomodulation to the most photo-exposed area. Its main target is not melanin but the cellular activity of the dermis, which is why it can also be used on skin with pigmentation changes, following the usage recommendations.
Its technology is led by the combination of wavelengths: the longer the wavelength, the deeper the penetration.
| Wavelength | What it supports |
|---|---|
| 630 nm · red | Stimulates the activity of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for synthesising collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix. |
| 830 nm · near infrared | Penetrates deeper into the dermis and takes part in tissue repair and in maintaining elasticity. |
| 1072 nm · deep infrared | Reaches even deeper planes and widens the range of photobiomodulation. |
These wavelengths are distributed across 219 triple LED diodes on a flexible structure that sits against the skin, a technical detail that keeps the light from scattering. The mask also includes blue light (470 nm), used only for its antibacterial action on acne-prone skin, not for photoaging.
Ten minutes a day are enough. It is not photosensitising, so it can be used day or night without conditioning later sun exposure, which is particularly convenient in summer.
Independent efficacy test on more than 20 women over 40, after 8 weeks of use:
- +30% more firmness on the face
- +19% more skin elasticity
- +12% increase in dermal thickness
- -18.6% dark spot colouration
The first changes begin to show from 28 days of consistent use.
Infrared LED Mat, for the body
Photobiomodulation is not limited to the face. The same biological principle can be applied to other areas when the goal is to support the natural tissue repair processes. The Infrared LED Mat is designed for larger body areas, such as décolleté, abdomen, back or legs, which also accumulate exposure and often fall outside the facial routine.
It acts at a cellular level and leaves a comforting sensation during the session. It is used on clean, dry skin, preferably at night, for 20 to 40 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week. Like any technology based on consistency, its results depend on regularity, not on a single session.
How this translates into a summer routine
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| Every morning, all year | Broad-spectrum sun protection (SPF 30 or higher), including neck, décolleté and the back of the hands. |
| If there is direct exposure | Reapply every two hours. |
| Every day, 10 minutes | Silicone LED Mask on face, neck and décolleté. |
| 3 to 5 times a week, 20 to 40 minutes | Infrared LED Mat on the body. |
No step replaces another. Daily protection stops new damage from accumulating, and photobiomodulation supports the maintenance and repair of already photoaged tissue. They are two different tasks that live in the same routine.
Who is this information for?
For anyone who wants to understand what the sun does to their skin over time and how to care for it with realistic expectations, especially in the most exposed areas: face, neck, décolleté and hands. Photobiomodulation is designed to be part of a long-term routine, not a one-off treatment.
This content is educational and does not replace a medical assessment. For new spots, lesions or changes in the skin that raise doubts, the right step is to see a dermatologist.
Frequently asked questions
Does summer sun age the skin more?
In summer the skin receives more ultraviolet radiation, which is the main factor in photoaging. Much of that damage accumulates silently and becomes visible years later, which is why constant protection matters so much in these months.
Do I need to burn for damage to occur?
No. A burn appears when the skin's immediate defence is exceeded, but repeated exposure to moderate doses also accumulates changes in the dermis without visible redness.
Can I use the Silicone LED Mask in summer if I sunbathe?
Yes. The Silicone LED Mask is not photosensitising, so it does not condition later sun exposure. It can be used day or night.
Does the LED light in the devices damage the skin like solar radiation?
No. They are different types of light. Ultraviolet radiation can damage DNA and accelerate photoaging. Photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of red and infrared light that act on cellular activity, with a completely different purpose.
If I already have photoaging, is it worth starting now?
Yes. It is not possible to fully erase damage accumulated over years, but the skin keeps its capacity to respond throughout life. Sun protection stops it from adding more damage, and photobiomodulation supports its repair mechanisms.
Quick glossary
- Photoaging
- Changes in the skin caused specifically by ultraviolet radiation, different from ageing due to the passing of time.
- UVA and UVB radiation
- The two bands of ultraviolet radiation that reach the skin. UVB acts on the surface; UVA penetrates to the dermis.
- Oxidative stress
- The wear that occurs when the unstable molecules generated by radiation exceed the skin's antioxidant capacity.
- Metalloproteinases (MMP)
- Enzymes that recycle damaged tissue and that, when over-activated, also fragment healthy collagen.
- Solar elastosis
- Disordered build-up of elastic fibres damaged by the sun, different from the loss of elasticity linked to age.
- Photobiomodulation
- The use of specific wavelengths of light to activate biological responses in the cells, without significant heat or surface damage.
In summary
Photoaging is not just one more part of skin ageing. It is a process of its own, with different mechanisms, and summer is its season of greatest exposure. Preventing and supporting are two different tasks: daily sun protection stops the damage from growing, and photobiomodulation supports the processes with which the skin repairs itself. At SKINVITY we believe that this combination, sustained over time, is the most honest way to care for the skin against the sun.
Warmly,
The SKINVITY team
Scientific references
- Krutmann J, et al. Daily photoprotection to prevent photoaging. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2021;37(6):482-489.
- Fisher GJ, et al. Molecular basis of sun-induced premature skin ageing. Nature. 1996;379(6563):335-339.
- Rittié L, Fisher GJ. Natural and sun-induced aging of human skin. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2015;5:a015370.
- Guyuron B, et al. Factors contributing to the facial aging of identical twins. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009;123(4):1321-1331.
- Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics. 2017;4(3):337-361.
- Avci P, et al. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013.
- Passeron T, et al. Sunscreen photoprotection and vitamin D status. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181(5):916-931.