DEWhat happens to the skin when you get sunburn?
Spending wonderful hours outdoors, everything is so beautifully green and in bloom and the sun is shining—pure joy of life. But in the evening, the rude awakening can come when the skin “glows” red and, in the worst case, even hurts. What happens to the skin when you get sunburn? That is exactly the topic we would like to take a closer look at here for you, so that the next sunburn can hopefully be avoided.
In general, sunlight consists, among other things, of UVA and UVB rays. This distinction is not insignificant, as each type of radiation has different effects on our skin. UVA rays attack the skin’s connective tissue. For many sun worshippers, the consequences are often clearly visible, because the radiation causes the skin to age faster. In addition, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and intensify the effect of UVB radiation. This is because the short-wave UVB rays are more energetic and are the main cause of sunburn.
By nature, our skin has its own defense and repair mechanisms, but of course only up to a certain point. If these mechanisms are disrupted or overloaded, one possible consequence is sunburn. While the outer layer of skin normally ensures that UV radiation can penetrate little or not at all into the deeper layers of the skin, prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage the skin and its cells. Damaged cells release messenger substances, and the affected skin turns red.
Sun damage to the skin becomes visible over time
Often, sunburn does not appear immediately in its full intensity; instead, initial symptoms such as a feeling of heat, mild pain, tightness, or itching become noticeable alongside redness. As it progresses—this can be up to 36 hours after sunbathing—the symptoms may worsen. One thing is certain: if redness is already visible while you are in the sun, you should act quickly, because the skin is already damaged. Acting means avoiding sun exposure immediately and seeking protection in the shade. Staying in the sun with the thought “it’s already too late anyway and nothing more can happen” is a misconception and should be avoided at all costs.
If the skin is increasingly damaged, the uppermost layers of skin, including the so-called epidermis, lose stability. This can lead to an accumulation of tissue fluid, which then becomes visible in the form of swelling and even blisters on the skin. The degree of sunburn also depends on skin type; very pale skin reacts differently and more sensitively to radiation than, for example, already tanned skin. This also applies to sensitive baby or children’s skin, as well as the very sensitive skin of our lips.
Therefore, before sunbathing, you should always apply sun protection tailored to your skin type. If it is already too late for that, first- to third-degree damage can occur, with distinctions ranging from the intensity of redness to blistering and even severe burns. Depending on the degree, sunburn will subside again after a few days up to 1–2 weeks. With third-degree burns, however, it may not only take longer, but permanent scarring may also remain. In this case, treatment by a doctor should always be sought.
What happens to the skin with repeated sunburn?
If the skin is affected by sunburn once, this is of course not ideal, but the skin can naturally cope with it. With repeated sunburn, the situation is different. As described above, sunburn is always skin damage in varying degrees of severity.
With repeated episodes, the body’s own repair mechanisms can be reduced and the risk of skin cancer can increase. Past sunburns remain, so to speak, in the skin’s “memory”. Repeated skin damage makes the skin more permeable, allowing UV rays to penetrate more easily and deeper into the skin. As a result of the processes activated in the skin, inflammation-mediating messenger substances are released, which are considered to promote tumors. Normally, the damaged cells in the uppermost layer of skin die and are shed.
However, if these cells remain active and continue to be involved in skin regeneration, changes can occur even years later and be the cause of skin cancer. That is why regular check-ups are so important. Only an expert can recognize the relevant symptoms—and ideally always at an early stage. If you have any unanswered questions about sunburn or skin care, please feel free to write to our experts.
More articles on the topic of “skin” or “skin conditions” can be found in our Skin Journal and on our website. Enjoy browsing.
