Questions about sunburns

C&K*s Mommie wrote: I have no experience with tans and sunburns. You may know why. But I do get darker in the sun, and I can get farmers tans just as much as anyone-but it is not terribly obvious. Chris has fair skin, but he mostly gets sunburned on his head and forehead. But my question are these: Do you know when you are getting sunburned? Or if you stay in the sun for too long, then come back in, it is the next day you may notice a sunburn coming up? Also, is it a sunburn, peeling THEN a tan (just curious about that- it has no relevance really)?? Does anyone know if olive toned skin can get sunburnt?? I only ask because the girls and I were out in the sun earlier, and Christian began to get a slight pink/slight redness to her skin on her back, I did not put anything on her, since she gets tanned easily during the summer months, not pink. We came inside a short time later, I plan to get some sunscreen for them tomorrow. I did not have her exposed for long, but I wonder what I could expect if she ever were exposed too long without protection. Kel just gets that tanned look like Christian does/did.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I have olive toned skin and I burn.

As far as burning, peeling and then turning to a tan, it would depend on the skin type. Scotty does not tan. He gets burnt, peels and turns back to snow white.

I normally know when my skin is burnt. I can feel it getting real tight and it stings bad. I haven't been burnt in awhile, though. Both of my kids turn red outside...no matter the amount of sunscreen or how often I apply it. They just turn red when they are hot. We go inside and within 30 mins they are a normal color It's interesting when we are outside in the public. I get lots of comments.

I think the sun can burn anyone...blacks and whites alike. I had a black friend who had lighter skin and she burnt in the sun. At any rate, it's good to apply sunscreen when going outside b/c it does protect the skin from damage.

HTH

amynicole21 replied: You'll usually see within an hour or so if you have gotten burnt. Funny - I'm fair as snow and totally not used to NOT having to obsess about sun block with the girls. I still slather them with spf 45 anytime they leave the house

C&K*s Mommie replied: That is what I am planning to do as well from now on. Lather them up, besides I love the smell of sunscreen. I did not know that anyone can still burn, I have never had one, so I thought it was fair skinned people that have to suffer. Thanks ladies!

luvmykids replied: I know if I'm at all flushed or pink even the slightest bit, the next day I will be RED unless I manage to get a tan first, like a fake one, then I just darken.

My2Beauties replied: It takes a good sunny day for me to burn but boy will I burn. Now if I wear at least SPF 15 sunscreen I don't burn. I use SPF 45 or 50 on Hanna because well...I don't want her to have to endure even the slightest sunburn because they are awful. She has never burned, I make sure she stays doused with the stuff. My cousins children are bi-racial and very light complected and I know one of them got burned one time, so I know it's possible. It just probably doesn't happen as fast to a bi-racial child as it does to a white child. Plus sunscreen protects your skin from the UV rays, it blocks them, so it's a good idea to wear whether you burn or not.

C&K*s Mommie replied: good info, thanks LeaAnn.

MamaJAM replied: I burn easily. Sometimes I can tell when I'm getting a burn -- my skin feels warm and starts to sting (feels 'tingly'). Depending on how burnt I got - I either turn red right away (this is a bad sign of a serious burn).....or I won't notice until a few hours later (or while in the shower). I don't always peel...and, no, I don't just turn tan after burn/peel....sometimes I'm back to pale-white. Also - I can often burn more than once in a season -- after small doses of sun I do tan...but even with a tan I can burn. Also - I'm pretty sure olive-skinned people _can_ burn....it just doesn't happen too often.

The biggest thing to always remember is that EVERYONE should be wearing sunscreen if your out in the sun (or even on a semi-cloudy day...burns happen then too).

A&A'smommy replied: for me since I'm fair skinned I always burn before I can tan (that sucks pretty bad too) but I can feel it coming on most of the time and I get light pink and then after I come in and it has set for a while it turns bright red (depending on how long I was outside)

alyssa doesn't burn very easily but I put sunscrean on her if we are going to be out for long periods, and jeremiah does the same thing unless he hasn't been outside in a long time

luvmykids replied:
ITA ... the worst sunburn I ever got was on a cool, cloudy, overcast day! And I had to go to the hospital for it!!!

MyLuvBugs replied: ok. I just want to say...my best friends husband has the same skin tone as you and has gotten sunburned before. He said it was really weird b/c you couldn't tell except his skin HURT and then it peeled. And of course here are my best friend and I, two pale ghosts, and we were like that's why there's sunscreen. lol He was just too funny. Said it had to be the Nebraska sun was different than it is in colorado. lol

Anywho....I always know when I'm burning, but my DH doesn't.....then again, all my dh has to do is step outside and he burns , but whatever. I can always feel my skin tightening and getting red hot when I'm burning, but I try not to do that b/c of skin cancers and blah blah blah health warning and stuff

but if you ever burn, you know it. Your skin is HOT to the touch and hurts like non-other, and you just feel like you need to drink lots of water or sit in a cold shower but nothing helps. And after a couple days the pain goes away and you start to look tan, but then all theskin shrivels up and peels off. and if you're like me....the tan goes away with the skin. lol So much fun.

Just keep a bunch of aloe vera gel on hand just in case. It will help to hydrate the burn and sooth the pain.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I think it's wise to put sunscreen on whether you burn or not. I will always put a hat on Wil when he's outside and I typically have long pants on him unless it's super super hot or we're of course at a beach. I just think no matter what color of skin you have, you are never safe from the sun. JMO.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I have white skin, very, very white. All it takes for me to burn is 20 minutes without sunscreen. And I know it right away. My friends used to joke that they could wind masking tape around my legs and make them look like candy canes. They were probably right.
But sunscreen should be worn by everyone. Especially kids. Sun damage is cumulative, it racks up for every exposure/burn you ever have. So, protect your kids and help them avoid skin cancer. Slather them up, regardless of skin tone. And do it yourself, too.
Rae, I got Logan a swimsuit that is SPF 50 material with floats on the front and back. Not pool wear, but great for outdoors.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: [/QUOTE]Rae, I got Logan a swimsuit that is SPF 50 material with floats on the front and back. Not pool wear, but great for outdoors.[QUOTE]

Did you get it at One Step Ahead? Have you tried it yet? Does it work well? Or do you still put sunscreen on as well? Sorry...I'm totally hijacking.