Almost everyone has some degree of sun damage on their skin. Without protection from the sun's rays, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin.

Society considers suntan to be a sign of beauty and attraction. These are some of the rewards from moderate exposure to the sun.

• Freckles
• age spots
• spider veins on the face
• rough and leathery skin
• fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched
• loose skin
• a blotchy complexion
• actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin), and
• skin cancer.

All of these conditions can be traced to sun exposure.

'Age spots' on the hands, sometimes called 'liver spots' are actually the result of exposure to the sun over time.

If you have these visible signs of sun exposure, a number of treatments are available. Intense pulsed light (IPL) can be used to fade thread veins and dark spots on the face and hands, and to restore a younger looking skin tone and texture.

TCA chemical peels are also very effective for removing layers of damage and restoring a glowing complexion, giving both face and hands a smoother and refreshed appearance.

Treatments should be followed by good sun protection with a daily minimum SPF 25 product.