|

Author:
Angela Perin

The experience of sunburn can be a very efficient (i.e. painful) reminder to heed adequate protection on future occasions. However more importantly, it should be a reminder of the long-term effects of sun exposure on our bodies and health – which can include aging of the skin and skin cancer.

In order to more fully understand these consequences, let’s take a look at exactly what sunburn is, its symptoms and its effect on the body.

Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun, or other ultraviolet light source (e.g. tanning lamps and welding arcs etc.), exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin. Melanin content varies greatly, but in general darker skinned people have more melanin than lighter skinned. (Although fairer skinned people are generally more prone to getting sunburn than darker skinned people, this certainly does not exclude the latter from risk.)

Sunburn destroys cells in the outer layer of the skin, damaging tiny blood vessels underneath. Burns deeper into the skin’s layers also damage elastic fibers in the skin, which over time and with repeated sun overexposure, can result in the appearance of yellowish, wrinkled skin.

The damage to skin cells from UV exposure (either sunlight or tanning lamps etc.) can also include damage to their DNA. It’s this repeated DNA damage, which can lead to a cell becoming cancerous. With the incidence of skin cancer rising dangerously in many parts of the world, and with its ability to develop and establish itself in the body ‘long’ before external signs are detected, -- paying attention to this aspect of sun exposure and sunburn should certainly not be ignored if we are serious about preserving our health.

Now while it may be easier to ignore the effects of sunburn occurring at a cellular level, ignoring the external symptoms of sunburn in the days immediately following such exposure is entirely another matter.

While sunburn is usually not immediately obvious, skin discoloration (ranging from slightly pink to severely red or even purplish) will initially appear from 1 – 24 hours after exposure. Although pain is usually worst 6 – 48 hours afterward, the burn can continue to develop for 24 – 72 hours after the incident. Where there is skin peeling, this generally occurs 3 – 8 days after the burn occurs.

While minor sunburns typically cause nothing more than warm/hot skin, slight redness, and tenderness to the affected area, -- in more serious cases, extreme redness, swelling and blistering can occur. These blisters filled with fluid may itch and eventually break. This can then cause peeling of the skin, exposing an even tenderer layer of skin underneath.

Severe sunburn can cause very red, blistered skin but can also be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea (in some cases vomiting), and dehydration. In instances of extreme sunburn where the pain is debilitating, medical treatment may be required.

While the immediate effects of sunburn can certainly be painful and cause discomfort, the real deterrent to UV overexposure should be the potential damage to your long-term health – including the risk of premature aging of the skin along with skin cancer.

Don’t let sunburn and sun overexposure kill your chances of enjoying youthful skin, and a healthy body. Remember, the easiest way to treat sunburn will always be to avoid it in the first place!
Angela Perin is editor of the 'Safe Tan Ezine', which features practical articles and tips on Beauty, Fitness, Nutrition and more. SAFE TAN - The Ulimate Experience in Natural Sunless Tanning

| Article Keywords: Skin Cancer

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Skin Cancer... Protecting Against The Dangers Of Skin Cancer Like all other forms of cancer, skin cancer is a scary thought. However, there are many obvious defenses you take against the dangers of skin cancer. The development of skin cancer may take many years and it may be a long time before the cancerous cells cause any significant damage, yet there is no better time to begin protecting yourself than the present. If you have very fair skin or have a history of skin cancer in your family it is of particular importance that you be cautious as you are more susceptible to the dangers posed by sun exposure. While tanning out in the sun on a hot day can be quite relaxing, it can also be a potential invitation for cancerous cells. Thus minimizing your exposure to the sun during the time of day when the sun's ray are the most intense, being 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is highly advised. If you cannot avoid being in the sun for an extended period of time then you should apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 to all areas of the body visible to the sun. Be sure to reapply every so often as well. Being sure to wear clothing that properly protects areas of the body that have been burned in previous years is advisable as well. If you attend tanning parlors frequently you are also increasing your risk of developing skin cancer. Though the ultraviolet light emitted by a tanning bed is essentially artificial, it is no less dangerous than the light emitted by the sun. If anything the direct exposure received in a tanning bed has the potential to become more dangerous, especially since one can attend tanning parlors all year round. It is also vitally important for children to be especially well protected from the sun, as they are more susceptible to skin damage from ultraviolet light. About the Author : If you need Skin...