What are the skin sunburn warnings? Come and get your sun-protective skin "shield"

It is undoubtedly a wonderful thing to enjoy a happy time under the scorching sun, but if you accidentally expose yourself to the sun for too long, you may suffer from sunburn. Sunburn, the "little devil" of the scorching sun, attacks our skin in different forms. Next, let's talk about the symptoms of different degrees of sunburn and teach you how to deal with sunburn with simple and effective methods, so that you can become a "sunburn repair expert".

01 Sunburn warning

Mild sunburn: The skin's "red face" warning

When you find uneven red spots on your skin, accompanied by slight tingling and swelling, that is a signal from a mild sunburn. At this time, you need to stay out of the sun immediately and give your skin a cool hug. After cleaning your skin, gently apply a layer of aloe vera gel or soothing agent, just like applying a gentle placebo to your skin to help it relieve pain and restore calm.

Moderate sunburn: blisters and escalating discomfort

Moderate sunburn will cause redness and swelling, and may also cause small yellowish blisters, increasing pain and burning sensations, and even causing systemic symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. At this time, the skin sends out a stronger distress signal. In addition to continuing to apply cold compresses and replenish water, you must also pay special attention to protecting the blisters to prevent them from rupturing and causing infection. If the symptoms persist, seek medical attention in time and let a professional doctor provide you with targeted treatment suggestions.

Image source: Pixabay

Severe sunburn: a life-and-death test for the skin

Severe sunburn is a serious challenge to the skin, which may cause large areas of skin necrosis and be accompanied by serious systemic symptoms. This is not only a skin problem, but also a threat to life and health. In the face of such an emergency, immediate medical treatment is the only correct choice. The doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific situation, including fluid replacement, anti-infection, protection of organ function, etc., to save your skin and life.

02 Why do some people get sunburned easily while others get tanned easily?

The variety of human skin types is determined by multiple factors including genetics, environment and individual differences. These complex factors together shape each person's unique skin characteristics, including color, thickness, sensitivity and response to UV rays.

Genetic factors

Genetic factors are the root of differences in skin types. The secrets of skin color are hidden in everyone's genes - the synthesis and distribution of melanin are precisely regulated by these genes. Melanin is like a "sunscreen" in the skin, but the content and distribution of "sunscreen" vary from person to person, resulting in significant differences in sensitivity to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, those who are born with less melanin or uneven distribution are often more susceptible to damage from ultraviolet rays, that is, they are prone to sunburn.

Environmental factors

In addition to genetics, environmental factors are also quietly changing our skin types. Ultraviolet radiation is the most important force that cannot be ignored. It is like an invisible sculptor. Over a long period of time, it will cause the skin to gradually accumulate melanin, thus darkening. However, different people have different "resistance" to ultraviolet rays. Some people seem to be wearing invisible sunscreen clothing and can easily cope with it; while others are like unprotected porcelain, which is easily damaged by a single blow. In addition, environmental factors such as climate, season, and geographical location will also affect the skin, further exacerbating the diversity of skin types.

Individual Differences

Everyone's living habits, physical condition, and eating habits will have subtle effects on the skin. For example, bad living habits such as staying up late, lack of exercise, and unbalanced diet are like putting layers of pressure on the skin, causing it to gradually lose its original health and vitality, and become more sensitive and fragile.

03 Self-care tips after sunburn

1. Get out of the sun exposure environment quickly: Once you find sunburn, immediately stay away from the sun and go to a cool and ventilated place to avoid further damage.

2. Cold compress relief: Use a wet towel soaked in cold water or an ice pack (avoid direct contact with the skin) for cold compress, 15-30 minutes each time, several times a day.

3. Hydration and moisturizing: The skin tends to dry and peel after sunburn. Use skin care products such as hydrating masks or moisturizing lotions, and drink plenty of water to maintain water balance in the body.

4. Drug assistance: For mild sunburn, you can use soothing drugs such as aloe vera gel and calamine lotion; for severe sunburn, you need to take medication as prescribed by a doctor and pay special attention to preventing infection.

When a sunburn causes severe inflammation or pain, your doctor may recommend oral antihistamines to control inflammation in your body, reduce pain and itching, and help you recover from the sunburn faster. At the same time, you may also consider using over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to relieve discomfort.

When dealing with sunburn, please try to avoid using irritating skin care products and cosmetics to avoid adding burden to the skin. When choosing sunscreen, it is recommended to choose products containing inorganic sunscreen ingredients, which are more gentle and suitable for sunburned skin. In terms of diet, keep it light and stay away from spicy, greasy and other foods that may irritate the skin. In addition, keep the skin clean and dry, and avoid scratching and friction to prevent infection.

04 How to avoid sunburn?

The sun is scorching, and although the sun is good, ultraviolet rays quietly threaten our skin health. Your skin is like a delicate princess, and ultraviolet rays are the uninvited "evil dragon" that is always ready to attack. So, how can we protect our "skin princess" and avoid sunburn? Let's learn some simple and effective sun protection tips together!

Avoid the peak season for dragons

First of all, we need to know when ultraviolet rays are the most "violent". 10:00-16:00 is the "golden time" when the intensity of ultraviolet rays reaches its peak. At this time, if you are still "bathing naked" outdoors, it is like giving the "evil dragon" a delicious lunch. So, try to reduce outdoor activities during this time period!

Finding the Shield and the Castle

When you have to be outdoors, remember to find yourself a "shield" or a "castle". Under a big tree, under a parasol, under an awning... these are your natural "shields". Wearing long-sleeved clothes, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat is like putting on a thick layer of armor for your skin, making it impossible for ultraviolet rays to penetrate. At the same time, you can choose darker-colored clothes, which can better absorb ultraviolet rays.

Image source: Pixabay

Sunscreen: Your "magic shield"

Sunscreen is not just an ordinary skin care product, it is also your "magic shield" against UV rays. Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF value and make sure it can block both UVA and UVB. Apply it evenly 20 minutes before going out, and remember to pay attention to the ears, neck, and back of the hands, which are easy to ignore. Don't forget to recharge the "shield" and reapply it every two hours or after swimming or sweating!

Image source: Pixabay

Raise awareness of sun protection: Be your own "guardian"

Sun protection is not only an external behavior habit, but also an internal self-protection awareness. Understand the harm of ultraviolet rays to the skin and the importance of sun protection, and improve self-protection awareness. Pay attention to the ultraviolet index forecast in the weather forecast, and take corresponding protective measures according to the index. In this way, you can become the best "guardian" of your skin.

Diet and nutrition: sun protection tips for both the inside and outside

Food can also be your sun protection assistant. Eat more foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and beta-carotene, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. They are like "little guards" inside the skin and can help resist the damage of ultraviolet rays. In addition, drinking plenty of water is also the key to keeping the skin hydrated. Well-hydrated skin can better resist the dryness and dehydration attacks of ultraviolet rays.

After-sun care: timely soothing of "injured" skin

What should you do if you are unfortunately "attacked" by ultraviolet rays? Don't worry, timely cold compress and moisturizing are your "first aid kit". Cold compressing the exposed parts can relieve redness, swelling and pain; moisturizing is the key to revitalizing damaged skin!

In short, to avoid sunburn, we need to start from multiple aspects: reduce exposure time, physical shielding, use sunscreen, balanced diet, improve sun protection awareness and timely after-sun care, etc. Only in this way can we protect our "skin princess" like a warrior and keep her healthy and beautiful under the scorching sun!

Submitted by: Chongqing Science and Technology Museum

Author: Tan Hao, dermatologist

Audit expert: Li Chunli

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