What Is a Sunburn?

A sunburn occurs when you expose your skin to too much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Although you can feel heat or infrared radiation, the UV variety is not seen or felt. You won’t feel it during exposure, but you’ll quickly recognize the trouble once your skin becomes inflamed.

There are two types of UV radiation you must worry about when spending the day at the beach:

• UVB Radiation: UVB rays penetrate just below the skin’s surface to your epidermis, where it creates the signature burn.
  
• UVA Radiation: UVA Rays go even deeper, all the way to your dermis, where they accelerate the aging process. The burn can sometimes reach this layer, requiring medical treatment and weeks to heal.

It’s important to note that the sun can be helpful in small doses. For example, it spurs your body to produce natural vitamin D, a vital nutrient hormone that affects everything from your bones to your immune system.

However, the sun’s UV rays have also gotten stronger over the past three decades, thanks to climate change. Even if you didn’t readily burn as a kid, you might now. Furthermore, damage can accumulate unseen, accelerating the aging process.

If you want to dive deeper into how UV radiation affects the skin and what you can do to protect your skin, check out our blog about UV rays and mineral sunscreen.

Do Sunburns Cause The Skin To Age Faster?

Your skin’s cells repair themselves through oxidation. However, excess oxidative stress damages DNA within cells, affecting their ability to function as they should. Although you might not immediately see the damage to your dermis as it lies beneath the surface, you can develop brown spots, wrinkles, rough skin, redness and visible blood vessels over time.

Additionally, UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, the stuff that gives skin its suppleness and plumpness. Your skin can start to look old, crepey and hollow and cut or tear more easily.

What Is the Link Between Sunburn and Skin Cancer?

The damage UV radiation does to your cells may lead to skin cancer. There are three common types of skin cancer:

• Basal Cell
• Squamos Cell
• Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous type, causing 7,990 deaths in 2023. It’s the most deadly because it can metastasize quickly, spreading to other parts of the body. Another severe, albeit rare, form is Merkel cell carcinoma, which occurs most frequently in fair-skinned individuals over 50 and is associated with the Merkel cell polyomavirus.

However, basal and squamous cell skin cancers can also metastasize if left untreated. About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with the sun’s radiation — it’s the most preventable risk factor. While prevention is your best cure, seeking medical treatment for prompt removal can decrease your risk of serious complications.