The word “sunburn” is a bit of a misnomer – it does, indeed, sting and burn, but it’s not a “burn” in the technical sense. “It’s an inflammatory response to UV damage to the skin,” says Dr. Emily Newsom, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeon with UCLA Health. “So the UV rays are what is causing it. It’s not actually a burn – it’s not a thermal burn or heat burn – it’s that UV light causes damage to the skin.”
UV light can damage the DNA in our cells, and over time, this can lead to skin cancer.
Lots of people enjoy soaking up that summer sun, and some may even think they want to get a sunburn to get that golden tan. But it’s not worth the risk. Read on to find out more about sunburns, tans and how to prevent and treat sun damage.
What is the best treatment for sunburn?
The first priorty for skin protection should be prevention, but sometimes life just happens. If you end up with a sunburn, Newsom recommends hydrating, using a cooling gel or lotion like aloe, and taking over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) medications like ibuprofen for pain and inflammation.
Do sunburns turn into a tan?
You may have noticed that sunburns can later turn into a tan. And this is true – but it’s not a good sign. “Both sunburn and tan are not healthy or good. So what a tan is – is your body produces melanin and melanin is a pigment. And so a tan is your body is trying to protect itself,” says Newsom.
Which sunscreen should I use?How to keep your skin safe – and why that SPF number matters
She further explains, “People with different skin tones have different amounts of melanin. Darker-skinned individuals have more melanin, so they kind of have a natural sunscreen built-in (around SPF 4 or 5 depending on how dark your skin is.) But when you get a tan, your body is trying to produce more melanin in order to protect itself. So it’s a signal that you’re getting too much sun because your body is just trying to protect itself.”
The same goes for freckles – although they can be cute and endearing, they are a sign of skin damage and you should take measures to avoid getting them.
How should you be applying sunscreen?
Newsom recommends you wear sunscreen every day – it doesn’t matter if it’s winter, if you’re only indoors, or if you’re in the car – maybe especially if you’re in the car.
“You can have damage throughout the year. Even in the car, UV light goes through window glass and the car manufacturers only put UV protection in the windshield, not on the sides. So, I usually recommend getting the ceramic coating on your windows. It’s like tinting, but it’s clear. I recommend it so that you can protect yourself because I see a lot more skin cancer on the left side of the face and left hand and left arm.”
As you engage in summer fun this year, make sure you apply sunscreen to protect your skin for years to come.
How long does a sunburn last?And what to do if you get one.
What vitamin comes from the sun?Here’s what it does and how your body benefits from sunlight.
