With summer in full swing, it's important to know the facts and protect your skin from getting sunburnt!
When your skin is unprotected and exposed to the sun, you may experience a sunburn. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation a sunburn is an inflammatory reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage on the skin’s outermost layers. A pigment called melanin gives your skin colour and defends it against the sun’s rays by darkening unprotected, sun-exposed skin. The amount of melanin you produce is entirely determined by genetics, which explains why some people tan and others burn. The severity of a sunburn can also range from mild to blistering. For those with less melanin, prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin cells to become red, swollen, and painful.
The UV index is another important factor to be aware of when spending time outdoors. If there is a high UV index, unprotected skin will burn faster and more severely. When the UV index is lower, there is still a risk of getting sunburned.
If you get a sunburn, you want to cool the skin as quickly as possible! Take a dip in the pool or even take a cool shower. You’ll also notice that your skin will begin to peel. This is a sign that your body is trying to heal itself by getting rid of damaged cells. Even though the skin heals, the UV rays have already done their damage. Repeated sunburns increase your risk of skin cancer, where only experiencing 5 sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of developing skin cancer.
Remember to wear your SPF and reapply every two hours when exposed to the sun. You can find more tips about sun protection by following us on Instagram @wearearbre!