Sunburn is a phenomenon in which the skin is excessively exposed to the ultraviolet rays (or UV for short) of the sun, resulting in redness, swelling, heat and pain of the skin. Due to the damage to the proteins and nucleoproteins of the cells by ultraviolet rays, the Langerhans Cells are temporarily reduced. , but also damage epidermal cells and melanocytes. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, more than 1/3 of adults have experienced sunburn, which shows that the experience of sunburn is not unfamiliar to most people. Therefore, I will briefly share the information of ultraviolet rays and introduce What to do after a sunburn.
What are the types of UV rays?
There are three kinds of ultraviolet rays: UVC (wavelength 100~280 nm), UVB (wavelength 280~320 nm), and UVA (wavelength 320~400 nm). Penetration is also the weakest.
Why do we get sunburned?
Because UVC will be absorbed by the ozone layer, it will not reach the surface of the earth. The other two types of UVA and UVB will penetrate the Because UVC will be absorbed by the ozone layer, it will not reach the surface of the earth. The other two types of UVA and UVB will penetrate the atmosphere, which is the main cause of human tanning and sunburn, and even penetrate the epidermis and dermis of human skin. It will cause skin tanning, damage to eyesight, aging, and wrinkles. Due to its strong penetrating power, it can penetrate glass, plastic, etc. to reach the room; UVB has strong energy, which mainly causes sunburn on the skin, and is also more likely to cause skin cancer. but the degree of sunburn caused by slightly poor penetration depends on the state of the body’s skin, the intensity of the sun, and the time of exposure to the sun.
What can cause sunburn?
Sunburn and peeling are more likely to occur if:
- At the equator and at high altitudes
- outdoor activities in summer
- Those who engage in snow or seaside water sports
- Have a family history of skin cancer
- Taking photosensitivity drugs, including: some cardiovascular drugs (Thiazides, Amiodarone, Nifedipine), antibiotics (Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Sulfonamides), antifungal drugs (Voriconazole), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) , Diuretics (Acetazolamide, Furosemide) and so on.
How to prevent sunburn?
If you are outdoors in a sunburn-prone area, you can avoid sunburn by:
- Wear dark, long-sleeved, tightly-knit, sun-protective clothing. Umbrella, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses
- Apply plenty of sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply regularly.
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor) means that sunscreen products can prolong the time that the skin is exposed to UVB redness. Choose sunscreens. For daily sun protection, it is recommended to choose products with SPF 15 or above, and for daytime outdoor activities, choose products with SPF 30 or above.
- When snow sports, because ice and snow easily reflect UV rays, be sure to wear sunglasses that can effectively block UV rays.
What to do about sunburn and peeling skin?
Once sunburned, the skin will begin to peel within a few days, and the peeling condition may last for several days until the skin repairs naturally. At this time, it is recommended to take the following methods to help the skin recover quickly.
- Hydrate your body: One of the ways to treat peeling is to drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin and help it repair quickly.
- Quickly moisturizing the skin: In addition, you can also apply some moisturizing products, such as: aloe vera gel, to hydrate the skin.
- Cold compress: You can apply a cold pack on peeling skin for 20-30 minutes to relieve redness and inflammation after sun exposure, but please be careful not to apply ice cubes directly on the skin, which will over-irritate the skin.
- Sun protection and blocking the sun: Sun protection is still the best way to avoid direct exposure to the sun in the middle of the day as much as possible. Don’t forget to wear a sun hat and sunglasses for a more robust sun protection outfit.
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