On a hot summer day, sometimes it is easy to forget (or pretend to forget) to apply sunscreen. We are having too much fun, we don’t want our skin to be “greasy” or we may not like the smell. This is a huge mistake that many people do every season and it can lead to some serious damage to your skin and the even tissue underneath. But what exactly happens when you get a sunburn?
Technical Aspects of a Sunburn
If you went to med school (or even a basic physiology class), you would learn that a sunburn is damage that occurs to the uppermost layer of skin, called the epidermis. The sunburn actually kills some of cells in this top layer. Ultraviolet rays from the sun also creates free radicals among the skin cells, which bounce around and cause DNA damage. This, in turn, can cause a chain of reactions which result in the inflammation and redness commonly associated with a sunburn. It is this inflammation in the damaged tissue that causes the burning sensation, and the mass cell death causes the skin to peel days later.
Pink is a Dangerous Color
Some people think that if you get just a slight sunburn there is no real damage being done. Nothing could further from the truth. Any discoloration of the skin pigmentation, even a slight pink, is a sign of damage from UVA and UVB rays. It is a sign that you have reached the minimal ethymeral dose, or MED. This is the minimum dose of sunlight needed to produce a sunburn and is different from person to person. Just because your friend can stay out in the sun for an hour without burning doesn’t mean you can. Especially if you don’t have any base tan built up. Burning even slightly still causes damage and should be avoided.
Even one sunburn can lead to cancer later in life, so always remember to apply sunscreen and reapply as directed. It is also a good idea to make sure that the sunscreen is waterproof even if you aren’t going in the water so that sweat doesn’t wash it away.
Burning Doesn’t Help You Tan
There is a common myth among sunbathers that if you burn you will tan faster. As those of us with fairer skin or freckles can tell you, this is not true. All that will happen is that you will go through intense pain, do possibly lifelong damage to your skin, peel, and end up white or only slightly darker underneath. Tanning is a natural process and should not be hurried by intentionally burning. Let’s not forget that modern medicine states that it only takes one sunburn for skin cancer to set in later in life. So put on sunscreen and let your tan build naturally.
How to Prevent a Sunburn
Although aloe vera gel is a great way to treat a sunburn and minimize damage, it doesn’t provide any preventive benefit. The best prevention is always to avoid getting the sunburn in the first place. This means applying a generous and even layer of sunscreen of at least SPH 15 (though most skin doctors recommend SPF 30 or higher).
The best sunscreens are waterproof, sweat-proof, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic. Have a friend or family member apply the sunscreen to any hard to reach areas. If you are by yourself, grab a handy bottle of your favorite sunscreen in spray form and use this method to apply the sunblock evenly all over your exposed skin.
With some simple preventative measures and common sense, you can stop sunburn before it starts. Make sure that you use sunscreen and always reapply it after two to three hours in the water, as even waterproof sunscreen can wear off. If you do this you can enjoy a pain-free, fun summer with no regrets 30 years in the future.
