Damage control: If you got sunburnt during the summer, here are nine steps you need to take now to limit permanent skin damage and reduce your risk of malignant skin tumours.
Did you know around 17 per cent of Australian adults get sunburnt on an average summer weekend?
Sometimes the sun catches you unprepared and sunburn happens. There is no way to reverse the damage, but there are a few key steps you can take right now to help your skin and body recover faster.
Let’s take a look at sunburn, how to treat it, how to prevent it, how it increases your skin cancer risk, and what you should do if you accidentally got sunburnt over the summer.
Sunburn is the skin’s inflammatory reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Melanin (the pigment which gives skin its colour and defends it from UV rays) darkens to protect sun-exposed skin. This is your body’s attempt at protecting itself from further sun damage, as the darkening skin cells form a barrier against UV radiation. This does not actually protect you from sunburn, though, as a tan is only the equivalent of SPF 2. The amount of melanin you produce is determined by genetics, which is why some people burn while others tan. However, both are signs of cellular damage to the skin.
Sunburn permanently and irreversibly damages your skin – even if you only get burnt once.
UV radiation deforms the proteins in your skin cells, potentially causing them to become cancerous. Sun exposure leads to premature skin ageing (like wrinkles and a "leathery" complexion) and life-threatening skin cancers, including melanoma.
Sunburns sometimes blister and peel. This is your body’s way of shedding the damaged cells. Sunburn doesn’t always look this way, though. It can be experienced as a brown tan or as a waxy feeling, with rough skin texture and acne breakouts.
You don’t need to lie in direct sunlight to be burnt. The most common activities that incur sunburn include hanging out the laundry, going for a walk, and driving. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes for your skin to burn during the middle of the day.
Repeated sunburns raise your risk of skin cancer; in fact, just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence is enough to double your chance of developing melanoma later in life.
Five sunburns in your lifetime increase your risk of deadly skin cancers by 80 per cent.
UV damage can occur even if you can’t see the burn. Sun damage builds up over time, so the more you burn, the greater your risk of skin cancer. People who are exposed to the sun nearly every day have a very high risk of skin cancer.
Here are nine things you should do if you get too much sun.
Enjoy a soothing, cool shower and pat your skin dry. Rubbing sunburn will make it feel worse.
Drink more water than you usually do to ensure you stay properly hydrated.
If you use peels, anti-ageing serums, or exfoliants, stop using these products until your sunburn heals. Also avoid products that make your skin more sensitive to the sun, such as topical retinoids, hydroxy acids and some fragrances.
Apply a cream or serum rich in vitamins B3, C, or E, or other cooling ingredients such as aloe vera, cucumber or menthol. (Growing an aloe vera plant in your garden can be great for times like this!)
As long as your skin isn’t peeling or broken, use a soothing moisturiser after your shower to restore nourishment back into your skin.
If you got sunburnt while wearing sunscreen as directed on the label, it’s time to find a more effective product. Choose a broad-spectrum, SPF50+ sunscreen and wear it every day. Remember to read the instructions carefully and re-apply every two hours (or more if you’re sweating or swimming) for the product to work properly. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your ears, the backs of your limbs and neck, and your hands. Learn more about choosing sunscreen.
While recovering from sunburn, avoid adding any more UV exposure to your already damaged skin cells. Stay out of the sun completely until your skin heals and then be extra careful about protecting yourself when you do return to normal outdoor activities.
Sunburnt or not, it’s essential to stay sun safe. Include sunscreen as part of your everyday skincare routine; wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves when spending time in the sun; and seek shade whenever you can.
Sunburn is the fastest way to develop new skin cancers, which can be potentially deadly. The earlier skin cancer is detected the better your chances of successful treatment and cure. If found early, some skin cancers can be treated with simple topical creams. But we won’t know it’s there if we don’t look, which is why annual professional skin cancer checks with a doctor are so vital!
Did you know?
Pre-tanning does not protect you from getting sunburnt or developing skin cancer.
There are simple ways to reduce your risk.
Read five ways to stay sun safe.
When you get sunburnt, your skin will heal but the real damage has already been done on a deeper level. Repeated sunburns put you at high risk for skin cancer and skin ageing, so protect yourself every day and make a commitment to looking after your skin health. Remember, a regular skin check provides the best chance of early detection, which might save your life.
Once the damage is done, the best defence against skin cancer is a regular skin check from a qualified doctor, as early detection is paramount to beating the disease.