how to treat it and avoid getting burnt by the sun
Sunburn
It will almost certainly have happened to you one summer, or maybe even earlier in the year when the first intense rays of sun hit in the spring. It is not uncommon for people to get sunburnt one day after being out in the sun without the right protection. If it happens once don’t worry. The problem is when it happens repeatedly and you don’t protect yourself properly from the sun (which does have its benefits, but there are also negative effects if you sunbathe without taking care or being sensible). It is just as important to avoid getting sunburnt by knowing the best ways not to get burnt as it is to know what to do (and what not to do) if it does happen.
What is sunburn?
According to the Dermatology Group of the Spanish Society of Family and Community Pharmacy (Sefac), sunburn means an acute and visible reaction that occurs as a result of excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation, specifically to the sun’s UVB rays.
What causes sunburn?
If you spend too long in the sun, there comes a point when the skin’s natural pigment (known as melanin) cannot protect us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and this is when you get sunburnt. This doesn’t just happen if we go out in the sun without any sunscreen. It can happen even if we have applied sunscreen but don’t reapply the right amount often enough or if we are using a sun protection factor that is too low for our skin type and colour.
This is when we get sunburnt, and the following symptoms will be apparent depending on how serious it is: from light sunburn when the skin turns red to more serious cases where blisters appear on the skin caused by excessive exposure to the sun.
Whatever the case, it is important to remember that even though sunburn can be treated and will clear up eventually (in other words the outward symptoms will disappear), the skin is left with a bad memory. You will probably have heard that your skin has a memory, which means that every time you get sunburnt damage is caused to the DNA of the cutaneous cell affected by the burn. If over time new burns appear in the same area it can lead to skin cancer. Sunburn is no joke as you can see.
Advice on how to avoid getting sunburnt
Moderation and acting sensibly is the best advice if you don’t want to get sunburnt. The following recommendations are worth following:
Use an appropriate sunscreen
Don’t follow trends or brands that you see on social media. The best approach is to choose a cream that adapts to your skin’s characteristics, as well as the sun exposure conditions. It is best to start with a high sun protection factor and then you can reduce the SPF as you tan. So, make sure you have a sunscreen in your beach bag this summer. You can find the right product at the authorised establishments at Mallorca Fashion Outlet, the shopping centre where you’ll find everything you need for a fun and risk-free summer.
Exposure yourself to the sun gradually
Don’t just lie in the sun for hours and hours when you first arrive at the beach from the office. Increase your sun exposure gradually by periods of 10, 15 and 20 minutes and, better still, move around. During this time (obviously) avoid the middle part of the day when the sun is at its most intense.
Don’t be caught out by cloudy days
You don’t just get burnt on completely clear days. You may not have realised but ultraviolet rays can penetrate clouds. In other words, on cloudy days you still need to protect your skin properly.
Calm your skin after sun exposure
Even if you have used sunscreen to protect your skin when you were at the beach or pool and you haven’t got burnt, it is still a good idea to apply a good after sun cream following a refreshing and restorative shower to calm, soften, hydrate and regenerate your skin. If you haven’t packed one in your suitcase this year you can purchase one at the best skincare stores at Mallorca Fashion Outlet, which is just 7km from the Balearic capital.
What to do if you have got sunburnt?
Don’t waste any time. To prevent the sunburn causing further damage to your skin, the important thing is to treat the burnt area straight away (even if you can only see slight reddening and there is a tingling sensation that doesn’t quite hurt). Act before it is too late by using emollient and calming creams (those containing aloe vera, urea or centella asiatica can be beneficial), drinking plenty of water, taking cold baths and applying a cold compress (rather than water directly from the tap) to the area affected by the sunburn.
If the sunburn is painful, the doctor may recommend taking aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol to help reduce the pain. And over the following days, wear loose comfortable clothing that doesn’t rub the skin in the affected area.
Equally as important as following this advice about what to do, is remembering what not to do if you get sunburnt this summer: if you have blisters don’t try to burst them as this could lead to an infection; don’t use home remedies such as toothpaste or mud as they are not good solutions for damaged skin, and don’t sunbathe again straight away. Health experts will tell you that it is better to wait a few days before you expose yourself to the sun again.
Alternative plans to going to the beach
As strange as it may seem, even during a pleasant afternoon out shopping the sun is still hitting your skin and you could get burnt if you spend too long in the sun without wearing adequate sunscreen. Therefore, there is nothing like having the best recommendations about how not to get burnt to hand and enjoying a relaxing afternoon at your favourite shops. You’ll find them at your shopping centre, Mallorca Fashion Outlet, set in beautiful natural surroundings. We’ve got the best fashion brands with up to 70% off so that you can live the best summer of your life with all kinds of plans, not just the beach.
So, it’s quite straightforward: sunbathe, get a tan and make sure you have healthy skin without getting sunburnt. You just need to be sensible when you go out in the sun to prevent the sun’s rays from doing their damage (even accidentally) and ruining your holiday because of sunburn.