What is a Sunburn?

Sunburns are perhaps the most obvious consequence of sun damage. But they aren’t just the classic lobster-red color we associate with a long day spent outdoors; even slightly pink skin could mean that you have a sunburn. Moreover, if you have a darker skin tone, tender, itchy skin is also an indicator—you do not even have to see a change in skin color for your skin to be considered sunburned.

Slightly confused? Well, fret not. Stay with us as we delve into what happens to skin when it gets sunburned, and the vital role sunscreen plays in keeping your skin looking its youthful best!

What Happens When Skin Gets Sunburned?

Generally, there are two types of ultraviolet rays (UV rays) that reach the earth's surface, UVB and UVA rays.

UVB (shorter-range) rays cause most sunburn, and are the common contributor to most skin cancers. UVA (long-range) rays go deeper into skin, and are primarily responsible for signs of premature aging such as wrinkles and sagging.

When skin is bombarded with UVB rays, you will not feel it initially. However, the physical effects we most often associate with sunburn are actually the body’s responses to the excess UV radiation it’s receiving. These effects or signs include skin that’s hot to the touch, or itching, pain, peeling, blistering, and swelling. In some more serious cases, people may even feel like they are running a fever. While they may vary in severity, all these symptoms are signs of the body trying its best to fix the sun damage that’s been done by unprotected or poorly protected skin.

Surprisingly, a sunburn doesn’t stop developing once you’re out of the sun. Sunburns can even continue to develop up to 72 hours after initial sun exposure, which is why sunburns may feel worse days later—and that’s before the unsightly peeling begins.

Long-Term Risks of Sunburns

Over time, the visible symptoms and discomfort of a sunburn fade, and your skin will either return to its normal colour or tan (there’s no such thing as a healthy tan, by the way; any change in skin colour means you’ve suffered sun damage).

Significantly, not being able to see any signs of your old sunburn on your body or face doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lasting impact. The unnerving fact remains that a sunburn causes long-lasting changes to the way skin functions, even decades after it was first experienced.

Research shows having even just one blistering sunburn during childhood can more than double a person’s lifetime chance of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. The cancer likelihood shoots up to 80 percent if you’ve had between two and five bad sunburns during your childhood years. Even if you don’t have a severe sunburn in your history, getting sunburned less severely once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma.

Clearly, the statistics of these research shows the dangers and risk associated with sunburns and how it should not be something that is taken lightly. Contrary to what is advocated for amongst those in more temperate regions who love a tan, sunburns or tanning should never be a normal part of your vacation or a day at the beach. This is especially true for people living in tropical regions like Southeast Asia, as the sun’s rays are much stronger and can be very harmful to our skin health. (P.S. If you’re worried about vitamin D deficiency due to staying out of the sun’s rays, see our tips for safely getting enough vitamin D without excessive sun exposure.)

Preventing Sunburn With Paula’s Choice Collection Of Sunscreen For Face And Body

While the information above may be rather intimidating, there is a rather quick and easy way to prevent sunburn. And that is to use a sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater, and apply it liberally every two hours when you’re outdoors. Although some sunscreens may feature a PA rating, it is most important for it to be a broad-spectrum sunscreen capable of UVA and UVB protection.

Along with applying sunscreen, other measures you can take include donning wearable sun protection like sunglasses, hats, and SPF-protective clothing. The combination of these efforts will significantly improve your chances of not getting a sunburn. Taking such preventive steps not only saves your skin now, but also guarantees less worries years from now—and that’s sunburn relief worth the effort.

At Paula’s Choice Singapore, we understand the dangers of sun damage, especially sunburns. Therefore, our premium range of sunscreens are not only protective but also good for your skin. With different formulations catered to different skin concerns, shop our quality sunscreens today to prevent the woes of sunburns and skin damage!

References for this information

• Pfahlberg, A., Kölmel, K. F., Gefeller , O., & Febim Study Group (2001). Timing of excessive ultraviolet radiation and melanoma: epidemiology does not support the existence of a critical period of high susceptibility to solar ultraviolet radiation- induced melanoma. The British journal of dermatology, 144(3), 471–475. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04070.x
• American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2025, https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-cancer
• The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, November 2009, pages 3,947-3,956