Protect your skin against sunburn

What is a Sunburn?

Sunburn is the result of not using proper skin protection while sunbathing or even from routine sun exposure. The skin becomes red, tender and swollen. You may have a stinging sensation and blistering may occur. ;;The skin will eventually shed or peel, once the skin underneath has renewed itself.

Redness, pain, swelling, and even blistering can occur from this over exposure. Peeling of the skin usually follows several days later. The pain of sunburn is usually greatest between 6 and 48 hours after exposure.

What Causes Sunburn?

Sunburn is caused by excessive exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source. Sunburn occurs because the body is unable to make enough melanin (protective pigment in the skin) to protect the skin. Sunburn may occur in less than 15 minutes of sun exposure for light-skinned persons while it may take hours for a dark-skinned person to develop a sunburn.

What are the Side Effects?

Some of the side effects are: irreversible skin damage and melanoma skin cancer.

Protect your skin

You can protect your skin by wearing sunburn, hats and clothes that cover your body. Sunscreens absorbing ultraviolet light, thus reducing the amount of UV light that reaches the skin.

1. The sun is most intense between 10am and 3pm so limit your sun exposure during these hours.
2. Clouds dont block UV radiation. To avoid getting burned on overcast days, wear sunscreen.
3. Wear UV filtering sunglasses to protect your eyes.
4. Use lip balm with sunscreen to protect lips from burning.
5. Wear sunscreen when you are swimming in an outdoor pool. You can get a sunburn while swimming.

Here are two individuals caught in the act of not following those simple rules :

Be very carefull at the beach...

In the name of science, I hereby designate myself as a volunteer, for all you ladies planning on going at the beach this summer, to rub oil all over your bodies. ;; Remember ladies, Im doing this for you.

;;

Dan