Spotting Facial Sunburn: Camera Lens To The Rescue

Sunburns are a common skin condition caused by overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays or artificial UV light sources. While sunburn symptoms typically include red, inflamed, and painful skin, the severity of sunburns can vary, ranging from first-degree to rare third-degree burns. Sunburns can be challenging to detect in people with darker skin tones, as the redness may not be apparent unless peeling or blistering occurs. To identify a sunburn on the face, individuals can use a camera or mirror to examine their skin for signs of redness, inflammation, or blistering. It is important to note that sunburns increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging, making prompt treatment and protection against UV rays crucial.

Sunburn symptoms

First-degree sunburn symptoms include redness, skin that feels hot or tight, and peeling skin after several days. People with darker skin may not show signs of redness, but sunburn can be identified through peeling or blistering.

Second-degree sunburn symptoms include swelling, white discoloration within the burn, and symptoms of heat illness.

Third-degree sunburn symptoms include a leathery-looking burn, white or dull skin colour, and all the above heat illness symptoms, including shock and heatstroke.

Other symptoms of sunburn include skin that feels like it is on fire, with a hot and burning sensation that gets worse when touched, even through clothing. Sunburn may also cause weakness, confusion, or faintness, and severe cases can lead to dehydration and shock.

The signs of sunburn may not appear immediately and can take several hours to develop, with pain usually at its worst 6 to 48 hours after the burn. Sunburn typically resolves in 3 to 5 days but can take a few weeks to heal completely, depending on its severity.

Sunburn treatment

Sunburn is caused by overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunburn can occur on any skin tone, and even when spending short periods of time outdoors without protection. Sunburn causes red, painful, damaged skin and can lead to premature skin ageing and skin cancer.

How to Treat Sunburn:

• Get out of the sun and go indoors.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers to relieve pain. Gently pat yourself dry when you get out.
• Apply a moisturiser containing aloe vera or soy to soothe the skin. Do this while your skin is still damp and whenever you feel discomfort.
• Apply calamine lotion or a cool, damp washcloth to the affected area, or take a colloidal oatmeal bath to relieve discomfort.
• Take aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin's surface, so it is important to rehydrate.
• If your skin blisters, do not pop them. Blisters form to help your skin heal and protect it from infection. Keep blisters clean and apply petroleum jelly to protect them as they heal.
• Cover sunburnt skin while it heals, especially when going outside. Cool, damp cloths may help soothe the pain.
• Use topical cooling and hydrating gels and creams, such as hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera gel.
• Once the skin has cooled and ongoing damage has stopped, use ointments or petroleum jelly to keep the skin moisturised and help it heal without scarring.
• Take NSAIDs for pain relief.
• Leave blisters alone until they heal. Do not pop them. If they become extremely large, seek medical help.
• If you have severe blistering or dehydration, a medical professional may give you rehydrating fluids.
• If you have a third-degree sunburn, you may need a skin graft.

Preventing Sunburn:

• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply every 90 minutes when outdoors and more often after swimming or sweating.
• Wear sun-protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long trousers, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Limit your sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm when UV rays are strongest.

Sunburn severity

First-degree sunburn damages the skin's outer layer and usually heals by itself within a few days. Symptoms include redness, a warm or tight feeling, and swelling or blistering. People may also experience peeling skin around 3–8 days after exposure, as well as headaches, raised temperature, fatigue, and nausea.

Second-degree sunburn may penetrate the skin's outer layer and damage the layer beneath, called the dermis. It may take weeks to heal and may require specialist treatment. Symptoms include deep red skin, especially on light skin, swelling and blistering over a large area, wet-looking shiny skin, and white discoloration within the burned area.

Third-degree sunburns are rare but require emergency treatment. They severely damage all layers of the skin, including the fat layer beneath. They can also destroy nerve endings.

To treat sunburn, it is important to get out of the sun and seek shade or go indoors. Taking frequent cool baths or showers can help relieve pain, and applying moisturisers containing aloe vera or soy can soothe the skin. It is also important to drink extra water, as sunburn draws fluid to the skin's surface, and to avoid popping any blisters, as they help protect the skin from infection.

Sunburn prevention

Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage to the skin's outermost layers. It can cause redness, pain, and swelling, and in severe cases, blistering and peeling skin. Sunburn can affect anyone, regardless of skin tone, and can have long-lasting effects, including an increased risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing.

• Seek shade: When outdoors, look for shady spots, especially during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Wear protective clothing: Cover your body with lightweight, tightly woven fabrics. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Use sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Be sure to cover all exposed skin, including easily forgotten areas like the tops of your ears, feet, and neck. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
• Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.
• Avoid tanning: Tanning beds and sunlamps can also cause sunburn and increase your risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
• Be mindful of medications: Certain medications can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, making you more susceptible to sunburn.
• Annual skin checks: Visit a dermatologist annually for skin cancer checks, especially if you have had sunburns in the past.
• Protect your lips: Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to shield your lips from UV damage.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and sports drinks to replenish electrolytes, as sunburn can cause fluid loss and dehydration.
• Be cautious with babies and young children: Keep babies under six months old out of direct sunlight. For older children, ensure they wear UV-blocking sunglasses and apply suitable sunscreen.

Sunburn long-term effects

Sunburn is the skin's reaction to too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. UV radiation can pass through light clouds and can be scattered by particles in the air and reflected off surfaces such as buildings, concrete, sand, and snow.

The long-term effects of repeated sunburns include:

• Premature wrinkling and skin aging: This includes discolored age spots, freckles, red veins, wrinkles, and sagging.
• Increased risk of skin cancer: This includes basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer and melanoma (the most dangerous type). The body has an elaborate repair mechanism that can repair sun damage, but it is critical to reduce the amount of future UV damage.
• Eye damage: This can lead to cataracts.

Each sunburn adds to your risk of developing skin cancer. The damage to the DNA in your skin cells is permanent, and abnormal cells may develop over time, leading to cancer. Therefore, it is important to protect your skin from the sun and prevent sunburn.

Frequently asked questions