Introduction: What is Sunburn?
Sunburn is a burn resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun without adequate protection. It is more common in summer, when days are longer and temperatures encourage people to spend more time outdoors for leisure, sports or work activities. Often, people only realise they have been overexposed to the sun when their skin is already red, hot and painful or burning. Excessive and repeated sun exposure causes premature ageing of the skin, fragility, the appearance of spots and an increased risk of skin cancer. Avoiding sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (which can extend to 5 p.m., especially on very hot days with clear skies) and wearing a hat and appropriate clothing are the best preventive measures.
Symptoms and Degrees of Sunburn
Sunburns are usually first or second degree. In first degree sunburn, the epidermis – the outermost layer – is affected; in second degree sunburn, the burn is deeper and affects the next layer – the dermis. The deeper the burn, the more serious it is. The symptoms of a sunburn will depend on the depth of the burn, its extent, the person’s level of hydration/dehydration, and the body’s antioxidant reserves (based on diet and the type of water consumed).
In first-degree burns, the symptoms are intense redness, pain when touched or burning, a feeling of heat and swelling; there are no changes in blood pressure or other systemic symptoms. Second-degree burns are deeper, the previous symptoms are more intense, there are blisters, either superficial or deep, and the skin may be moist and very sensitive. And, depending on the extent of the affected area, the volume of blisters and the degree of dehydration, there may be fever, nausea or vomiting, mental confusion and fainting – these symptoms require immediate medical attention.
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What to Do When You Feel Sunburn
As soon as you get sunburned, you should immediately seek shade. First-degree burns are the most common and require minimal treatment – you should cool the skin by applying cold compresses or taking a lukewarm or cold shower immediately, which will help both healing and pain relief. Then apply a moisturising and emollient after-sun solution, preferably in spray or foam lotion form as these are easy and painless to apply; aloe vera is also an excellent solution – remove a leaf from the plant, place it upright until it releases a yellowish liquid from inside; then remove the outer coating and apply the ‘gel’ to the affected areas. A mild oral painkiller is usually sufficient.
As a result of sunburn, the body is dehydrated and inflamed. Therefore, it is essential to rehydrate by drinking plenty of water with a few grains of salt, or preferably ionised or hydrogenated water, both of which have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Medical attention should be sought immediately if there are extensive blisters, fever or chills, nausea or vomiting, or mental confusion.
What to Avoid in Case of Sunburn
In case of sunburn, certain precautions are essential to prevent the lesions from worsening and promote safe recovery. Never apply ice directly to burnt skin, as this can cause cold burns and aggravate skin damage. It is also important not to rub the skin, even when bathing, which should be kept short so as not to weaken the burned skin, and to completely avoid exfoliants or harsh products, which can further irritate the affected area. Gentle skin care is essential to avoid complications and promote healthy re-epithelialisation without scarring.
Another crucial precaution is not to burst blisters, as they act as a natural protection against infection and facilitate skin regeneration. Bursting them can cause pain, delay healing and increase the risk of bacterial infection. In the days that follow, it is essential to avoid any exposure to the sun. Damaged skin needs total protection and time to recover.
For effective treatment of sunburn, keep your skin well hydrated with soothing after-sun creams (such as aloe vera) and drink plenty of water.
If the above symptoms are severe or persistent, consult a healthcare professional.
Recommended Products for Relief and Regeneration
There are several products that provide fast and effective relief from the inflammatory symptoms of sunburn and promote safe skin regeneration. Among them, the most commonly used are lotions or creams based on calamine, panthenol and aloe vera. Calamine is a mineral formula based on zinc and iron oxides, with soothing properties and astringent, softening and slightly antiseptic effects. Panthenol is a derivative of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), with highly moisturising and healing action, relieving symptoms and accelerating cell regeneration. Aloe vera provides an immediate soothing effect, deep hydration, stimulates deep regeneration and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Moisturisers containing perfume or alcohol should not be used as they are irritating and can aggravate already inflamed skin.
If the sunburn causes significant pain, discomfort or a slight fever, it may be necessary to use painkillers or antipyretics, such as paracetamol, always under medical or pharmaceutical advice.
These precautions are essential for anyone looking to know how to treat sunburn and minimise recovery time and scarring. But to keep your skin healthy during the summer, prevention remains the best protection.
How to Prevent Sunburn in the Future
The best protection against excessive sun exposure involves a series of actions, including: avoiding sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.; wearing clothing that adequately protects the torso, arms and legs; wearing a hat that provides shade for the head and neck; staying in the shade; and using sunscreen correctly. Protective clothing is more effective than sunscreen for most people.
A suitable sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and should protect against ultraviolet A and B (UVA/UVB) radiation. [link to the article ‘skin care in summer’]. In addition, it is important for each person to be aware of their skin’s sensitivity to the sun, as the same SPF may vary in effectiveness from person to person, depending on individual sensitivity to the sun and skin pigmentation. Skin with more pigmentation, i.e. darker skin, is less sensitive to the sun; very fair skin is highly sensitive. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and after swimming in the sea, river or pool; however, more sensitive skin may require shorter intervals between reapplication.
It is very important to bear in mind that sunscreens contain chemicals that are not harmless and that, with continued use, accumulate in our bodies. Therefore, not only for protection against sunburn but also for protection against chemicals, we should refrain from sun exposure during critical hours.
One preventive measure to adopt during the summer, although little publicised but very important, is to stay hydrated, especially by drinking hydrogenated or ionised antioxidant water, as mentioned above, and eating foods rich in polyphenols (antioxidants) such as red fruits, dark green vegetables, green and white teas, cocoa, propolis and maca, among others. Skin care in summer is well established, and adopting these measures is a responsible and intelligent approach.
Conclusion
During the summer, it is important to encourage the adoption of protective measures against excessive sun exposure, correctly and consistently, for swimmers, sportspeople and those whose jobs involve prolonged exposure to the sun.
And, in the event of sunburn, you should get out of the sun and take immediate action. Medical intervention may be necessary, as mentioned in sections 3, 4 and 5 above.
Adopting a skincare routine in summer not only prevents sunburn, but also contributes to healthier, more hydrated skin with maintained elasticity and greater robustness, preventing premature photoaging, the appearance of spots and skin photocarcinogenesis. As in other areas of health, prevention is the smartest and best solution, as most sun damage is caused by risky behaviour, carelessness or inadequate protection – all of which are avoidable. It is very important to know your skin and be attentive and listen to your body, so don’t take any chances.
If you would like to learn more, please also read: ‘Essential Skin Care in Summer’ and ‘Molecular Hydrogen’ or the bibliography below.
Bibliography
- Rocha, C. D. L. J. (2009). Histophysiology and classification of burns: local and systemic consequences of tissue loss in burn patients. Rev. interdisciplin. estud. exp. anim. hum.(impr.), 140-147. Article em Pt | LILACS | ID: biblio-964347. https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/biblio-964347#
- Monseau AJ, Reed ZM, Langley KJ, Onks C. Sunburn, Thermal, and Chemical Injuries to the Skin. Prim Care. 2015 Dec;42(4):591-605. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2015.07.003.
- Waitzman AA, Neligan PC. How to manage burns in primary care. Can Fam Physician. 1993 Nov;39:2394-400. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8268745/ .
- de Souza, L. R. P., Lima, M. F. A. B., Dias, R. O., Cardoso, E. G., Briere, A. L., & Silva, J. O. (2021). The treatment of burns: a literature review. Brazilian Journal of Development, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv7n4-257
- Schalka, S., & Reis, V. M. S. D. (2011). Sun protection factor: meaning and controversies. Brazilian Annals of Dermatology, 86(3), 507-515. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0365-05962011000300013
- He H, Li A, Li S, Tang J, Li L, Xiong L. Natural components in sunscreens: Topical formulations with sun protection factor (SPF). Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Feb;134:111161. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111161.
- Saric S, Sivamani RK. Polyphenols and Sunburn. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Sep 9;17(9):1521. doi: 10.3390/ijms17091521.
