Sunburn is a visible reaction of the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation or UV light sources (invisible rays that are part of sunlight) such as tanning salons. Ultraviolet rays can also cause invisible damage to the skin. Excessive and/or multiple sunburns cause premature aging of the skin and lead to skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US and exposure to the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer.
Children often spend a good part of their day playing outdoors in the sun, especially during the summer. Children who have fair skin, moles, or freckles, or who have a family history of skin cancer, are more likely to develop skin cancer in later years.
Exposure to the sun during daily activities and play causes the most sun damage. Overexposure to sunlight before age 18 is most damaging to the skin.
UV rays are strongest during summer months when the sun is directly overhead (normally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
Leave a Reply