No Chance for Sunburn

As soon as temperatures rise, life starts to move outdoors again. But beware: even mild sunshine can cause a painful sunburn. The right sun protection not only prevents unsightly redness, it also lowers the risk of skin cancer and helps slow down skin ageing. Health expert Solveig Haw from DKV explains what matters when it comes to sun protection and what helps if you do get sunburnt.

Red, redder, sunburn

Sitting in a beer garden, going for a bike ride or enjoying a relaxed afternoon in the garden – many people relish sunny days. But especially when skin is still winter pale in early summer, an unpleasant surprise may be waiting in the evening: a nasty sunburn. “UV rays are responsible for the painful redness, itching and even blistering,” says DKV health expert Solveig Haw. “Symptoms usually appear three to five hours after sun exposure and typically subside after about three days – depending on how severe the sunburn is.” With a first degree sunburn, the typical symptoms are comparatively mild. In second degree burns they are far more pronounced and painful. Pigmentation changes and changes in skin texture can also occur, and the skin usually starts to peel after about a week. In third degree burns, deeper layers of the skin are affected and scarring can remain. “In the case of severe sunburn accompanied by headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, you should definitely see a doctor,” warns the DKV expert.

Non melanoma (“white”) skin cancer on the rise

Enjoying sunshine and fresh air is good for body and mind – but for longer periods outdoors, only with sun cream. This is especially true when areas such as shoulders or the décolleté are exposed to the sun for the first time again. Otherwise, the skin suffers and the risk of skin cancer increases.
“Non melanoma skin cancer – often called ‘white’ skin cancer – is currently on the rise,” says the health expert. “Because its main cause is UV light, it appears especially on areas that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as the face, décolleté, shoulders, neck, forearms and hands.” Although non melanoma skin cancer is much more common than malignant melanoma (black skin cancer), it is generally far less aggressive and can usually be treated well if detected early.

Never without my sun cream

“To protect yourself from harmful UVA and UVB radiation, sun cream with a high sun protection factor is absolutely essential.” People with fair skin should use at least SPF 30. When applying, don’t rub the cream fully into the skin; instead, apply it as a thin, even layer about 30 minutes before going outside and make sure you don’t miss any areas – paying particular attention to borders next to clothing. Haw also recommends reapplying regularly during longer periods in the sun – ideally every two to three hours. And even with plenty of sun cream, children and older people in particular should avoid the especially intense midday sun.

Is last year’s sun cream still okay?

At the start of summer, many people wonder whether they can still use their sun cream from the previous year. “Unopened creams have a shelf life of at least 30 months,” says the DKV health expert. Once opened, most products keep for around twelve months according to the manufacturer.
“However, the UV protection may have been reduced,” Haw explains. “Oxygen that gets into the product can cause the ingredients to change.” Anyone who wants to be sure they are optimally protected should buy a new sun cream. At the latest, if the cream smells odd, has changed colour or its consistency is different, it should be thrown away.

Double protection works best

In addition to applying sun cream correctly, clothing offers the best protection from the sun’s rays. “Children playing in the sun in particular should always wear a T shirt,” recommends the DKV expert. “A hat or cap will protect against sunburn on the scalp and also help prevent sunstroke.” The eyes need protection too: sunglasses marked “UV 400” are especially suitable.

If you’ve overdone the sunbathing

Sometimes you still end up with sunburn. “As soon as you notice the first signs, you should get out of the sun immediately and cool the skin,” says Haw. Damp compresses with cooled black tea or water can help. Cooling packs and ice cubes are best avoided, as extreme cold can further damage the skin. Afterwards, cooling after sun lotions containing ingredients such as panthenol or aloe vera should be applied. These should be free from alcohol, fragrances and preservatives. Ointments containing hydrocortisone can also help relieve itching. A tried and tested home remedy is a quark (curd cheese) compress – but only if the sunburn has not caused any open wounds. To keep the skin well hydrated from within, the DKV expert also recommends drinking plenty of fluids.