Sunburnt skin

Sunburnt skin

Redness, swelling and pain are signs of sunburn and occur because the skin has received more sun than it can tolerate. We have collected some good advice and tips on what you can do if you have been sunburned. Remember good sun protection - it prevents sunburned and sun-damaged skin, and at the same time reduces the risk of skin cancer.

Why do you get sunburned?

Sunburn can occur when the skin is exposed to UV radiation . UV radiation stands for ultraviolet radiation, and is a type of electromagnetic radiation that naturally comes from the sun. The UV radiation from the sun consists of UVA, UVB and UVC radiation.

UVA rays brown the pigment melanin that is already present in the skin, and this gives a short-lived tan. UVB radiation stimulates new production of melanin, and this eventually makes the skin slightly thicker and provides increased protection against the sun.

But UVB rays also cause burn damage, i.e. sunburn on the skin. If the UV radiation becomes too intense, the cells are not able to produce enough melanin and you get sunburned. Different skin types tolerate different amounts of UV radiation before getting sunburned, and it appears that both UVA and UVB rays are involved in the development of skin cancer later in life

There is a lot that affects how strong UV radiation the skin is exposed to:

• The closer to the equator, the stronger the radiation.

• The radiation is strongest when the sun is high in the sky. Therefore, breaks from the sun between 12-3pm are often recommended.

• Water and snow reflect the UV radiation, thereby increasing exposure.

• Increasing altitude means increased radiation, therefore the sun is stronger in the mountains.

• The sun is stronger in a cloudless sky. 

Risk factors for sunburned skin

Several factors increase the likelihood of getting sunburned in the sun.

• Fair skin gets sunburned more easily. Protect the skin with clothing and sunscreen. 

• Strong sun on pale winter skin increases the risk of sunburn. Begin sunbathing carefully. 

• You don't use enough sunscreen, or you don't apply it often enough. A handful of sunscreen should be applied several times a day.

• Some medicines increase the risk of sunburn, ask your doctor or pharmacist if this applies to your medicines.

• Some plants can also cause sunburn after touching them. This is called phototoxicity. 

Symptoms of sunburned skin

• Redness, swelling and pain.

• Blisters and ulceration can occur with more severe burns.

• General symptoms such as headache, fever and lethargy may occur because there is often a larger area of ​​skin that is sunburned.

Treatment for sunburned skin

• Start by removing yourself from the sun as soon as you notice signs of sunburn.

• Take a cold shower.

• Apply a rich moisturizer and body lotion or an aftersun cream several times a day. Aloe vera can be soothing and has a cooling effect on the skin.

• Avoid staying in the sun for 2-3 days after you have been sunburned. If you must be outdoors shortly after you have been sunburned, protect yourself with clothing.

Over-the-counter creams and liniments can be bought at the pharmacy to reduce pain and itching in sunburned areas. 

• A mild hydrocortisone cream/ointment (1%) can be used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain and itching.

• Local anesthetic ointment  or liniment containing lidocaine can relieve pain and itching. 

• Non-prescription painkillers , which contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be used if it is very painful.

What characterizes sun-damaged skin?

A sun-damaged skin has often been sunburned, with symptoms such as redness, pain, swelling and blisters. This is acute sun damage that occurs quickly after excessive sunbathing and sun exposure.

Excessive sunbathing can also cause damage to the eyes , and it can affect the immune system. This can, for example, manifest itself as damage to the retina, development of cataracts , solar eczema and herpes outbreaks . Sunbathing also leads to aging of the skin with wrinkles and pigment spots , as the sun affects the skin's own production of collagen and elastin.

In the longer term, sun damage to the skin can develop into more serious consequences and chronic damage. Most cases of melanoma ( mole cancer ) and other skin cancers are related to UV radiation and sun exposure. When UV rays hit the skin to an excessive degree, changes can occur in the DNA, the hereditary material in the pigment cells. If these changes become too great and the cells divide uncontrollably, this can lead to tumor formations and cancer. These tumors can appear in a new mole, or a mole you already have.

What can be done about pigment spots?

Pigment spots (melasma) are also a form of sun damage to the skin, and often occur where the skin has been exposed to too much sun, such as on the face and chest.

There are several different types of pigment spots, and these are treated differently and repaired depending on the type of pigment spots you have. A common form of treatment to remove or reduce pigment spots is with the help of laser treatment.

Can sun damage be repaired?

The vast majority of changes that occur in the DNA due to UV radiation and excessive sunbathing will repair themselves, without anyone noticing the damage that has occurred. Only in rare cases will the damage be so great that it will develop into tumors and skin cancer.

How to prevent sun damage?

If you avoid sunburn and intense sunbathing, you have a lower risk of getting sun damage and, in the long term, developing skin cancer. In small amounts, the sun is good for health, partly because  vitamin D  is formed in the skin when exposed to sunlight, but it is important to limit sunbathing and to protect yourself with enough sunscreen . 

Solvett prevents sunburn!

Good sun protection is important to avoid sunburn, and at the same time reduces the risk of skin cancer .

• Take breaks from the sun - especially between 12 noon and 3 pm when the sun is at its strongest.

• Wear clothes, a sun hat and sunglasses .

• Use sunscreen with a minimum sun factor of 30. Check that the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Use a handful of sunscreen to cover the entire body.

• Lubricate yourself half an hour before going out in the sun and repeat the lubrication several times during the day.

• Be careful with exposed areas such as the lips, nose, ears and neck, and lubricate the scalp if it is exposed to the sun.