I grew up taking sailing lessons every summer, and sunscreen wasn’t mainstream back then. That would explain why the skin test results at my dermatologist’s office revealed that my face is completely sun damaged.
Gradually, as I have gotten older, I spend less time in the sun. I no longer miss the look of a tanned face because it’s more important to protect my skin against aging, sun damage and wrinkles.
Despite messages from doctors and advertisers about the damaging effects of the sun and the plethora of SPF products sold over the counter, over 30% of US adults get sunburned yearly. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 33,000 sunburns that require emergency room visits are reported annually.
I was fascinated to learn what happens to the body when exposed to the sun. The process of what the body does to protect itself constantly amazes me. However, learning about this process made me even more hesitant to spend time in the sun.
Your skin absorbs ultraviolet rays
You will feel warmth when your skin is exposed to UV rays. This results from your skin absorbing and converting those UV rays into heat. This happens due to Melanin (the molecule responsible for your skin’s pigmentation), which distributes itself under your skin to prevent tissue damage.
Your immune system starts its work
Immediately, your immune system attracts inflammatory cells to the exposed area to repair the damage from the sunburn. If the burn is bad enough and it is painful or sensitive, that discomfort directly results from the immune response.
The out layer of your skin is damaged
Upon UV exposure, the DNA cells in the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) become damaged. The innermost layer of your skin, called the basal cells, creates melanin to protect your skin. This is the reason a red burn sometimes turns into a tan. The melanin released during this process makes your skin darker.
Healthy blood is delivered through your blood vessels to the affected area
As a result of your outer skin being damaged, your blood vessels dilate to increase healthy blood flow to the affected area and aid with healing. The red colour of sunburn is because of this release of oxygenated blood in the afflicted area.
Sometimes your body gets itchy, or skin blisters form
Damage to the top layer of your skin causes your pain receptors to activate, resulting in itchiness and, in some cases, fluid-filled blisters. Blisters form in response to cell damage and are created as the body’s way of protecting itself.
New Skin develops causes your burnt skin to peel
In many cases, your skin will peel after a sunburn, which means that your body is replacing the areas of skin that suffered sun damage. Exposure to the sun and ultimately burning accelerates the process of regeneration and shedding, typically taking 28 days.
Repeated sunburns increase your chance of skin cancer in later years. Skin cancer often doesn’t appear until 10-20 years after a period of intense sun exposure.
Wearing sunscreen is non-negotiable for me. I already have too much sun damage from when I was young and can’t undo it. So, protecting my skin, including my face, is a top priority. I have instilled the importance of sunscreen in my kids as well. They are fair-skinned, and my daughter is a redhead, so you do not see tanned faces or bodies at my house.
Don’t take a risk. Find a sunscreen that you like and make it your best friend. Your future face and body will thank you!