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TANNING FACTS: Sunburn Facts
Sunburn results from overexposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun or other ultraviolet radiation (UVD) exposure (e.g. tanning beds etc.). While the symptoms are usually temporary (such as red skin that is painful to the touch), the skin damage is often permanent.
 Fact #1: |
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One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life.
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A person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any age. [1]
| Fact #2: |
Tanning lamps mimic sunlight and provide an intense, concentrated dose of UVR.
Users often get a burn like a sunburn, and sunburns are linked to the risk of all three skin cancers: basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. [2]
(The following information has been extracted from the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) web site [Accessed on 15 May 2010] [3]).
What it is:
There is no such thing as a safe tan. The increase in skin pigment, called melanin, which causes the tan color change in your skin is a sign of damage.
Why it happens:
Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.
Symptoms:
Skin tones that are capable of developing a tan, typically skin types II through V, will probably darken in tone within two days.
The Bottom Line:
Evidence suggests that tanning greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. And, contrary to popular belief, getting a tan will not protect your skin from sunburn or other skin damage. The extra melanin in tanned skin provides a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of about 2 to 4; far below the minimum recommended SPF of 15.
(The following information has been extracted from the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) web site [Accessed on 15 May 2010] [3]).
What it is:
Sunburn, also called erythema, is one of the most obvious signs of UV exposure and skin damage. Often marked by redness and peeling (usually after a few days), sunburn is a form of short-term skin damage.
Why it happens:
When UV rays reach your skin, they damage cells in the epidermis. In response, your immune system increases blood flow to the affected areas. The increased blood flow is what gives sunburn its characteristic redness and makes the skin feel warm to the touch. At the same time, the damaged skin cells release chemicals that send messages through the body until they are translated as a painful burning sensation by the brain.
White blood cells, which help protect you from infection and disease, attack and remove the damaged skin cells. It is this process of removing damaged cells that can cause sunburned skin to itch and peel.
Symptoms:
The earliest signs of sunburn are skin that looks flushed, is tender or painful, or gives off more heat than normal. Unfortunately, if your skin tone is medium to dark you may not notice any obvious physical signs until several hours later. It can take 6 - 48 hours for the full effects of sunburn to appear.
Treatment:
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends treating mild sunburn with cool baths, over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams, and aspirin to ease pain and swelling.
Severe sunburn should be treated as a medical emergency and examined by a doctor right away. Severe sunburn is often characterized by a large area of red, blistered skin with a headache, fever, or chills.
The Bottom Line:
Sunburn can be a very painful effect of UV exposure. Studies have shown a link between severe sunburn and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Pay careful attention to protecting yourself from UV rays.
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Liquid Sun®
- Skin Cancer Foundation [Accessed on 15 May 2010 from http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer-Facts/]
- 'Study Links Use of Tanning Lamps to Increased Risk of Skin Cancer', Kate Wong, February 6, 2002, Scientific America [Accessed on 15 May 2010 from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=study-links-use-of-tannin&page=1]
- [Accessed on 15 May 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116432.htm#2]
- [Accessed on 15 May 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116432.htm#1]
