A day in the sun may do more harm than the eye can see.
Spending a day, or even a few hours, outside in the sun can be good for the soul. The bright light helps keep your circadian rhythm in check, and being outside in the fresh air and sun’s rays may brighten your mood.
However, if you’re not careful about protecting your skin, too much sun exposure may cause lasting damage.
“In addition to increasing your risk of developing skin cancer, over-exposure to the sun can cause your skin to lose elasticity, increase wrinkles and become dry or even discolored,” said Matthew R. Endara, MD, a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery with Maury Regional Medical Group Plastic Surgery.
When your body is exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it damages the epidermis, the outer layer of skin. Once this happens, the body’s immune system kicks into gear, dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow to the damaged area so it can heal. This causes the redness and inflammation experienced with a sunburn.
If you get a bad sunburn, you may notice blisters on your skin. Don’t pop them. These blisters help shield your damaged skin while it heals. Popping them may not only increase the time it takes for your skin to heal but can also increase your risk for infection.
“Carefully treat the blisters by washing gently with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic ointment or thick moisturizer, like hydrogel, and cover the area with gauze or a bandage,” Dr. Endara said.
As your body regenerates new healthy skin to replace the skin damaged from a sunburn, the old skin may peel off. As with blisters, it’s best to let your body work its magic according to its own timetable, so don’t try to pull skin off before it’s ready to peel on its own.
How does sunburn increase your risk of skin cancer?
When you get a sunburn, ultraviolet light causes damage to the cells of the skin. Most of this damage is repaired by the body and your skin heals, but sometimes there are cells that aren’t fully repaired. These cells may develop mutations that could eventually become cancerous. That’s why the more sunburns you get over your lifetime, the more you increase your risk for skin cancer.
“It’s important to teach skin protection routines to children at an early age so they can avoid burning repeatedly,” Dr. Endara said. “Studies have shown that skin damage builds up over time starting with your very first sunburn, and having five or more sunburns more than doubles your risk of developing melanoma.”
The best way to protect your skin is to avoid overexposure to UV rays by following these tips:
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen (blocks both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going in the sun and reapply every two hours.
- If you get wet, such as from swimming or sweating, reapply more often and use a waterproof or water-resistant sunscreen.
- Protect delicate skin on your face by wearing sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat.
- Wear UV-protective clothing.
- Avoid the sun when it is at its strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and seek out shade whenever possible.
- Keep in mind that your skin can still get damaged from the sun even when it is cloudy or cool. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen every day.
- Don’t use tanning beds.
Sunburns are a leading cause of skin cancer, so it’s best to do what you can to protect your skin from the damage caused by the sun. Let your doctor know if you notice any suspicious-looking spots or moles that may indicate you have skin cancer.
In addition to skin cancer care, Maury Regional Medical Group Plastic Surgery offers a wide range of services at its Columbia practice, including breast reduction and revision, breast reconstruction, limb salvage services and body contouring.
Learn more at MauryRegional.com/PlasticSurgery.
Matthew R. Endara, MD
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Date Last Reviewed: May 17, 2023
Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor
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