When you look at your skin what do you see? Can you see the beauty your skin was meant to exhibit, like an expensive designer coat or pair of shoes? Your skin is unique and you have to keep that in mind when exposing it to the sun. Sunburn can affect anyone so the earlier you learn about skin care the better. Over exposure to the sun will result in “sunburn a discomforting condition most frequently encountered at the beginning of summer before a protective tan has been acquired.” Symptoms of sunburn may be temporary, but depending on severity, the damage it does can have long lasting effects. Unprotected exposure to the sun ages the skin prematurely, can cause first and second degree burns and even skin cancer. According to Berman and Zieve (2011), skin cancer usually appears in adulthood, but is caused by sun exposure and sunburns that began as early as childhood.
The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests applying this simple formula when choosing sunscreen. “Determine how long it usually takes your skin to turn red, say 30 minutes, then you can assume that theoretically an SPF 15 will prevent you from reddening 15 times longer (in this case, 7 ½ hours) (Dawn, 2009).” As long as you are not allergic to sunscreen, use at least an SPF 30 which blocks 97% of the sun rays, and reapply every 2 hours. Infants and children are really susceptible to the sun because their skin is highly sensitive to its burning effect. They need a sunscreen for infants and children with an SPF 50 or SPF 70. Fair skin people tend to get sunburn easier, but dark/black skin can also burn so stay out of the sun between the hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This is when its rays are strongest.
If you do get sunburn take a cool shower or bath, care for non-blister areas with a moisturizing cream, if your skin blisters use dry bandages to help prevent infection, cortisone creams can also help reduce inflammation, and wear loose cotton clothing.
**In severe cases contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room.
1. Berman, K. & Zieve, D. (2011, May 13). Sunburn. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003227.htm
2. Dawn, W. (2009, June 11). How to Choose Sunscreen with the Proper SPF: What SPF Should I Use for My Skin Tone? Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/how-choose-sunscreen-proper-spf-3460977.html
3. Health911 (n.d.). Health Conditions: Sunburn. Retrieved from http://www.health911.com/sunburn