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Sunburn is a painful reminder that too much sunlight can be damaging! It presents itself in the form of red, sore skin and may peak 6-36 hours after overexposure. Unfortunately, while it will go away within 3 to 5 days, sun exposure also causes damage to your DNA, something we all want to avoid at any cost!

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First & Second degree Sunburn

Sunburns can take up to two courses - one mild and the other more severe! Those with a first-degree sunburn may experience some redness, dry skin, and irritations that feel hot when you touch them. Of course, it will usually heal within three to five days on its own. But for those who find themselves in second-degree sunburnt misery? Well their symptoms include deep reddened tones of skin plus swelling, blistering along with pain, discomfort, and even nausea, this type of sunburn increases the chances to develop skin cancer (yikes!)

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Practice "sun safe" habits

Wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover as much exposed skin as possible, even better if it has integrated UV protection! Shield your eyes with sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays too. And of course, you'll want to limit direct exposure during peak hours, between 10 am and 4 pm when powerful UV rays are out in full force.

Get familiar with your skin, so if anything looks different or changes rapidly, tell your doctor. Even in cold climates sunburn can still surprise you, wear sunscreen year-round even when enjoying winter activities like skiing. Put on some armor against the sun and have fun out there!

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How to treat a Sunburn

Take a rest from the sunshine until your sunburn heals, then apply cold compresses or take a chill bath. For added relief, try an aloe vera-based gel straight from the refrigerator. Avoid vaseline as much as you can though; it seals in heat which makes things worse! If pain persists, anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or naproxen should do the trick. Finally, make sure that you hydrate yourself properly because getting fried by UV rays leaves no room for dehydration too!

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Everyone is vulnerable to Sun’s effects

Skin damage from the sun can happen to anyone, but you're more vulnerable if your skin tone is light and/or have a history of cancer in your family. Other things that increase risk include having many moles, burning instead of tanning when out in the sun, lighter colored eyes or hair color (blondish-reds or browns), going outdoors regularly, especially during summer months at higher altitudes where UV rays are strong, particularly beachgoers! And then there are those who prefer spending their time indoors most days with lots of outdoor activity during weekends, they too should be extra cautious about protecting themselves against sunlight exposure.

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Photoaging

Photoaging is caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet UVA & UVB radiation. That means spending time in direct sunlight, tanning beds, or using sun lamps could speed up the aging of your skin - yikes! It might also increase your risk of developing cancerous cells.

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Is Sun Damage reversible?

Sun damage can't be turned back like a clock, but there are some treatments available to reduce and repair the effects of sun-damaged skin. So whether it's spots, wrinkles, or discoloration, there is hope to restore that youthful complexion after all.\

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Now that you know how about sun exposure, you can relax by your pool practicing sun-safe habits. Relax by Your Pool, Here are some Ideas & Tips!