Reminder: ‘Base Tans’ Aren’t Really a Thing
A tan signals injury, not protection. When ultraviolet (UV) rays reach your skin, cells rush to produce more pigment as a shield. That “golden glow” is your skin telling you it is in trouble, and it carries long-term aesthetic and medical consequences, especially after years in the bright Texas sun.
Fort Worth Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby explains why a “base tan” does not protect your skin, as well as surgical and non-surgical options to repair sun damage.
How Sun Damages the Skin
Even mild UV exposure gradually changes your skin’s structure and appearance. There are several ways this happens:
Breaks down collagen and elastin
UV radiation weakens the collagen and elastin fibers that keep skin firm and plump. As these fibers thin, cheeks lose volume, the jawline loosens, and fine lines deepen faster than they would through natural aging alone.
Creates uneven pigment
When sunlight hits the skin’s surface, extra melanin is produced for self-defense. Over time, that emergency response leaves freckles, age spots, and blotchy patches that create an uneven skin tone.
Dehydrates and roughens skin texture
Sun exposure disrupts the skin’s moisture barrier, causing water to escape more quickly. The result is a dry, coarse feel, larger-looking pores, and a dull complexion that needs extra care to regain its glow.
Increases the risk of skin cancer
Each sunburn, or even a series of small “base tans,” adds DNA damage that can lead to actinic keratoses (patches of abnormal “pre-cancer” cells) and, eventually, skin cancer. Annual exams and prompt treatment are critical to keep these concerns in check.
Proven Ways to Reverse or Reduce Sun Damage
Non-Surgical Skin Treatments
Mild to moderate skin changes can typically be addressed at our Fort Worth med spa, Kalos Medical Spa, with minimal downtime and no surgery:
- IPL Photofacial: Targets and breaks up excess pigment to fade sun spots and blotchy patches for a clearer, more even complexion.
- Laser Skin Resurfacing: Polishes the surface to smooth rough texture and fine lines while stimulating collagen remodeling in deeper skin layers.
- RF Microneedling: Creates micro-channels plus radiofrequency heat to tighten mild laxity and smooth lines and wrinkles.
- VI Peels: Exfoliates damaged cells and unclogged pores while accelerating cell renewal for a healthy glow.
- Medical-Grade Skincare & Sunblock: Protects your skin from future damage and helps maintain the results of your Fort Worth skin treatments.
Dr. Kirby and our team of medical aesthetic experts customize the sequence and timing of these options to minimize irritation and maximize long-term benefits.
Dr. Kirby is a consummate professional who I trust and recommend without hesitation. Not only does she take great care in ensuring you have a first-class experience, she is willing to provide you the information and consultation you need to make the best decisions for your treatment. She is passionate about her work and you can rest assured you are in good hands with Dr. Kirby!”
Surgical Options for Advanced Laxity
Because ultraviolet exposure steadily breaks down collagen, many patients find that loose, excess skin is the most visible legacy of sun damage. When laxity has progressed beyond the reach of non-surgical skin treatments, Dr. Kirby may recommend:
| Area of Concern | Procedure | How It Helps |
| Droopy upper eyelids, puffiness | Eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) | Removes stretched eyelid skin and fat pockets to create a brighter, refreshed gaze. |
| Brow heaviness, forehead creases | Brow lift | Elevates the brow, smooths forehead lines, and opens the eye area for a relaxed expression. |
| Upper arms (“bat wings”) | Arm lift (brachioplasty) | Removes stretched skin and localized fat through an incision hidden along the inner arm. |
| Upper thighs | Thigh lift | Removes hanging skin and residual fat from the inner or outer thighs to relieve irritation and refine leg shape. |
| Abdomen & waistline | Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) | Removes lax, sun-thinned abdominal skin, tightens weakened muscles, and restores a flatter, firmer core. |
Your treatment plan may include non-surgical therapies to address surface imperfections that surgery does not address, such as freckles and sun spots.
Treat Sun Damage at our Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Center & Med Spa
Sun damage accumulates, but you can reclaim smoother, more even skin with a strategic combination of skin treatments in Fort Worth and, when needed, surgical correction. Call or text 817-292-4200 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kirby.
