Bringing on the burn: UV rays and cell damage

• UV rays. Not all sunlight is the same. UVA rays have a longer wavelength, and can impact deeper layers of the skin. They’re a year-round threat, and can cause the skin to show signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines or sunspots. UVB rays are the culprits behind sunburns and skin cancer — think "B" for "Burn." However, both UVA and UVB rays cause damage to skin cells and should be avoided.
• Cell damage. UV exposure and sunburn alter DNA components of skin cells very quickly and mutations and damage are linked to skin cancer. Skin cancer is especially likely on areas that get a lot of sun exposure like face, arms and hands and, new research is suggesting that as little as one serious sunburn as a child can dramatically increase the odds of developing skin cancer later in life.

Symptoms

The signs of sunburn might take awhile to appear. According to WebMD, redness, irritation and pain show up "about 2 to 6 hours after exposure", making it critical to monitor the skin for signs of a burn. A few hours after sun exposure, symptoms will escalate, feeling the worst within 12 to 24 hours. After several days, sunburned skin will likely begin peeling and flaking off, with most signs of sunburned skin disappearing within a week (redness, irritation and peeling).

Severe sunburn is an entirely different type of burn that can result in painful blisters or swelling. These blisters, which often become red, hot or ooze fluid, can easily become infected, leading to a secondary infection on top of a burn. Never risk it: if a sunburn results in blisters, see a doctor for treatment options immediately.

And remember that other sun-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or sunstroke, can accompany sunburn. Emergency care is needed if you have:

• Headache


• Nausea


• Vomiting


• Confusion


• Loss of consciousness

Do's and don’ts: Remedies for relief

You’re burned, irritated and in pain, and your skin’s as red as a lobster. How can you soothe sunburned skin? A few do’s and don’ts.

Do’s

• Aloe. Lotions and gels with aloe vera gel are a time-tested treatment for sunburn, providing soothing, cooling relief. For whole skin health, keep Ole Henriksen All Purpose Aloe Vera Gel on hand.
• NSAIDs. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Aspirin or ibuprofen taken every four hours works to relieve the inflammation and pain that goes along with sunburn. However, check with your doctor first — these medicines might not be safe if you have certain health conditions, stomach problems or take other medications.
• Cool compresses and baths. Cool water will help take the sting out of a burn. For small areas, soak a clean washcloth in cool water and apply to sunburned areas for up to 20 minutes. Or, soak a washcloth in cold milk. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., explains on Yahoo Health, "The proteins in milk give skin a protective coat that prevents water evaporation. The skin needs moisture for the healing enzymes to work properly." For larger areas like the back or legs, take a short dip in a cool bath, but don’t use any bath salts, oils or perfumes, which can irritate sunburned skin.
• Moisturizing creams. These are crucial for locking in moisture and helping damaged skin tissue to heal. Apply moisturizer at least three times per day, paying close attention to sensitive areas such as behind the ears, neck and around the eyes. Choose a gentle product without irritating fragrances such as Atoplam MLE Cream.
• Stay hydrated: Drink lots of non-caffeinated fluids to counteract dehydration.

Don’ts

• Drink alcohol. Alcohol will dehydrate skin even more and increase blood flow, making skin look redder.
• Pick at peeling skin. Although tempting to try and speed up the shedding of dead skin, don't pick or pull at these patches. Forcibly removing this dry skin can increase healing time and make the side-effects of the burn last longer.
• Exfoliate. Avoid any type of exfoliant, including salicylic acid, glycolic acid or retinoids. Burned, peeling skin is ultra fragile and any type of exfoliation can potentially increase irritation. Wait until all signs of peeling are gone and skin has returned to a normal, healthy tone before using exfoliators.

• Topical anesthetics. Lidocaine or benzocaine are topical anesthetics often found in products that claim to reduce the pain of cuts or burns; however, they can actually have the opposite effect, aggravating skin or causing allergies, according to Mayo Clinic.

Prevention

Of course, it’s better to prevent a sunburn rather than having to deal with one. Fortunately, you can do just that with these simple tips.

Sunscreen is still one of the best ways to protect the skin from sun damage. SPF, or sun protection factor, refers to protection from UVB rays, and a minimum SPF 15 should be used by everyone when in the sun. Using a higher SPF increases this time and SPF 30 or greater is recommended if you’ll be outside over an hour. For protection against both UVA and UVB rays, reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which will block damage from all types of UV light. Try DDF Matte Finish Photo Age Protection SPF 30, suitable for both oily and dry skin types.

Most people don’t use enough sunscreen to get adequate UV protection so don’t be stingy. On average, an adult needs at least an amount equal to two shot glasses of sunscreen to protect the entire body. Apply liberally and always re-apply after swimming or sweating. And don’t forget sensitive areas such as the lips. Slick on Murad Pomegranate Energizing Lip Therapy SPF 15 for super-shiny protection.

Finally, take to the shade. Don a wide-brimmed hat to shield the face from UV rays or opt for long sleeves and pants to protect the rest of the body. Avoid being outdoors when sun is the strongest, between the hours of 10am and 4pm; if you’re spending the day poolside, stay under an umbrella for protection.